POEMS 



•BY- 



RRCE Melbourne, 

(Mrs. Slice J, Barker.) 



• *U i' J- - ^ i Vjr ; 



^'V 



jii\j 1- 1, 



CLEVELAND, OHIO, 
■r 1888- 



T^ 









Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1888, by Samuel 

Barker, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, in 

Washington, D. C. 



TO MY DEAR HUSBAND WHOSE LOVE HAS CROWNED MY 

LIFE WITH HAPPINESS, THIS LITTLE BOOK 

IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED. 



Grace Melbourne. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Adele's Mission 40 

Are You Coming 48 

A Dream , 86 

A Fancy 159 

A Memory 131 

A Plea for the Erring 143 

Baby's Worth 12 

Bondage 152 

Charlotte Corday 84 

Come Up Higher 114 

Dear Brother Come Back 97 

Faith 59 

Faith 121 

Florrie 46 

For What Are You Waiting 138 

Forgive. 108 

Growing Old Together 24 

Good Night Nell and Good-Bye 122 

He Never Lead You Wrong 145 

Honor the Work that you do 110 

I Want to Go Too 50 

I'm Afraid 76 

In Memory of a Friend 101 

In Memory of Little Alvin 191 

In Memory of Little Harvey 181 

In Memory of Marvin Ira Brainard 185 

Jamie Loves Me 119 

Little May and Bruin 5 

Little Two Y'ear Old 16 

My Darling's Grave 125 

Mv 1 1 usband's Room 78 



Ill 

PAGE. 

Mrs Santa Clause 56 

Naoma 141 

No Face at the Window . 91 

Nobody Kissed Me Good Night 129 

On the Death of Miss Hattie Cummings 193 

One By One 80 

Our Angel Dora 99 

Parted 132 

Press Straight Ahead 20 

Prayer 157 

Retrospection , 118 

Sold, .. 18 

Shall we be Afraid 126 

Shall we meet them 133 

Some One To Love 93 

The Cross and Crown , 95 

The Maniac's Death .- 116 

The Veil Thrown Aside 147 

The Little Dress 136 

This is Life 141 

To Bertie C 161 

To Grandma on her 70th Birthday 205 

" " 71st " 206 

" " 72nd " 208 

" " 74th " 209 

" " 75th " 211 

" " 7Gth " , 213 

" " 77th " 214 

" " 78th " 216 

" " 79th " 217 

" " " First Birthday in Heaven 219 

To the Liquor Sellers of ... 62 

To my son Eay. 67 

The Fishers Wife 13 

The Exiles Dream 71 



IV 

PAGE. 

The Warning V<*ice 73 

The Drunkard's Child 68 

The Warning 65 

The Noble Calling 52 

T):e Rapids of the St Mary 29 

To the Rapids of the St Mary 31 

The Boatman's Child 34 

The House upon the sand . 2() 

To Mr. and Mrs. E Reckord 189 

To Mrs Dr. Leet 1^7 

To Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Cunimings 183 

To Baby Brewster.... 175 

To My Husband 179 

To Maggie and Kate 173 

To Ethel 177 

To My :S[other 167 

To Eva 170 

To Allie and Hortie 171 

To My Husband on our 12th Wedding Anniversary 165 

To Lucie on Her First Wedding Anniversary 169 

To my Dear Parents 1*'6 

To my Dear Husband 



199 



To the Cottage Sabbath School l-^'l 

Waiting for the Morning 103 

Workers in the Father's Harvest 105 

Work of the Wine Cup 201 

Woodland Fancies • 149 

Waiti ng '*^- 

Where is Heaven 89 

What is the ase of fretting 54 

What is Life 134 

Which of the two 22 



LlTTTLE IVIAV AND BRTLTIN. 



'Tis four o'clock, and from tlie open doorway 

The nieiTv scliolai's, laiigliing, bound away; 
While at her desk still sits the weary teacher, 

Too tired to watch them in their harmless play. 
How fair she looks and frail, this pale, young creature, 

A lovely woman, battling for lier bread : 
Over her shoulders her fair hair is floating. 

While two white hands support the drooping head. 

But suddenly the open door is darkened, 

A stalwart form comes quickly to her side ; 
A flush of joy lights up the young girl's features, 

A look of trusting peace and loving pride. 
" Oh I Mary, Mary, you've Ijeen grieving, darling ! '^ 

And in his own he took the fair, white hands, 
*' Between us and our long-planned happy future. 

So much of hindrance and of waitino; stands. 



6 



-"And lately I've been thinking, Mary darling, 

That if I went away to the far West, 
Perhaps that I wonld sooner be in bnildiug 

For my dear bird a cosy, little nest; 
And I will work with heart and hands, my darling, 

Inspired by thoughts of this sweet, patient face, 
This little form, so tender and so loving. 

That holds for me each earthly charm and grace. 

^' Then I'll come back a happy man and claim you. 

And all our dreams and fancies will come true ; 
But yon must promise to be very careful, 

When I have gone so far away from you. 
What is it, Mary? Can it be you're crying? 

You, who have always been so brave and true ? " 
" Yes, and I will be yet," the young girl answered, 

^' It yon will only let me go with yon." 

"' If there is care, we'll share it dear, together; 

If there is joy, our mutual joy 'twill be ; 
We'll build our nest in sunshine and ill-weather, 

And heli> and cheer each other, don't you see ? " 
So ^ed and Mary in the sunny spring time 

Pledged their two hearts, to share each other's life ; 
The sun ne'er looked npon a happier husband, 

I^or smiled upon a fonder, fairer wife. 



And in the far-off Western wild together, 

Far from the sight of any l)unian face, 
With patient hands, and hearts by love uplifted,. 

They laid the i)lans for their abiding place. 
And as the days Avent by, a tiny dwelling 

Sprang into view beside a brooklet fair ; 
A grand, old mountain towered high above them, 

And lovelv flowers blossomed evervwhere. 



Their life was peaeehil, toiling late and early. 

With promise of the pleasure yet to come, 
For every monarch felled or seedling planted. 

Kept softly whispering to them, "This is home."' 
And so the months went by; another summer 

Had brought its beauty to this quiet place, 
And Ned grew still more tender to his darling. 

And watched each look of the dear, patient face.. 

And when the trees had turned to red and yellow, 

There came to them a little welcome ijuest: 
Their loving he^irts and arms were widely opened 

To take this little bird into their nest. 
Oh, such a dainty bird, whose first faint cooing 

Made wondrous music in that little cot; 
A blessing sent from God, they fondly called her. 

To brighten and to sanctity their lot. 



IIow fair she grew, so dimpled and so rosy, 

This little blossom in the woodland wild, 
And all the g-races of the fond young parents 

Seemed to be doubled in the gentle child. 
The years stole on, 'till three had blossomed round her, 

And glad, light-hearted, happy little May, 
Without a care or sorrow to perplex her, 

Danced in the sunshine all the live-long day. 

Oft with her little basket lade with treasure, 

She followed papa to his daily toil. 
Or sang within the open door for mamma — 

The brightest blossom of that Western soil. 
One day the mother tied the little bonnet, 

And stoo[)ed to kiss the glad, expectant face. 
Before she started out with the dear papa. 

For the accustomed merry noonday race. 

^' When she gets tired send her to me, husband, 

I'll keep a watch. Farewell, my pretty one. 
One — two — and three, start fair, be careful, papa! 

Our little girl has won the race ; well done ! " 
Then to her work the busy housewife started, 

And through the long and sunny afternoon 
She sans: old son^^s and worked with willino: fino'ers. 

The warp of life one sweet and tender tune. 



But when the sliades of night began to lengthen— 

"How long the hab}^ stays, 'tis time for jS'ed ; 
I'm sure the little bird is tired and sleei)y, 

She ought to fold her wings, and go to bed. 
Oh, there he comes ! I hear his merry whistle, 

But where is baby ? Xed, where is our May ? " 
" She came to you long hours ago," he answered; 

" She wanted mamma, and she would not stay. 

" Is she not here V Speak wife ! '* The startled father 

Reads the dread answer in her anguished eyes. 
^' I watched her to the very gate. Oh, Mary I 

See here one little shoe and stocking lies. 
Where is our child. Great God in heaven help us ! 

Alone, and to the beasts ot night a prey ! 
I'll go, dear wdfe, and surely I will find her, 

But lest she wander home, you here must stay. 



^' Bring me my gun, and give me food and water, 

She will be hungry ; do not fret, dear one. 
Trust to the arm that than our own is stronger. 

And all that can be, darling, shall be done." 
Through the long night the heart-sick father wandered^ 

Torn by the briers and bruised by many a fall, 
But still no answer came through the dread silence, 

But the weird eclio to his frenzied call. 



10 



And when the beams of early morning found him, 

Halt up the mountain, near a darksome cave, 
He well remembered that it had been told him 

Whoever entered there would find a o-pave. 
For 'twas the haunt of an old mountain grizzly 

Whose name was terror many miles about ; 
And so he walked with cautious step, and slowly, 

And hushed that long-repeated tearhil shout. 

Drawn by a strange desire to look within it. 

He n eared the cave and peered into its shade ; 
Then staggered back, with white lips set and rigid,, 

And raised his bloodshot eyes to heaven for aid. 
Just near the entrance lay the massive creature. 

His eyes were closed in sleep, but at his side 
Slumbered his little child, his darling baby, 

The comfort of the home, the joy, the pride. 

Her little breath came fast, as if from weeping. 

Her sunny curls upon the ground afloat, 
While one wee baby hand was calmly resting 

Upon old Bruin's rough and shaggy coat. 
He raised his gun the little creature lying 

So near the brute stirs in her restless sleep 
And softly calls his name. Oh ! anguished father, 

This is no time, no time to wait or weep ! 



n 



One upward glance and then bis aim is taken ; 

The bullet to the mark has quickly sped ; 
The child is in his arms, and the old grizzly, 

The terror of the mountain side, is dead. 
*' Oh, papa, is you come to get your baby? 

I tried to lind the sun, to get the gold ; 
But I will never try again to lind it ; 

Because it gets so dark and still and cold. 

*' Has you been crying, too ? Oh, papa, darling, 

I guess God sended you to look for me. 
And that's the very reason that you found me ; 

He must have led you, papa, don't you see?" 
Oh, music sweeter than the song of angels, 

That bal)y voice, and folded to his breast 
He hastened to the now heart-broken mother, 

A voiceless bird within a lonely nest. 

And mothers' hearts alone can tell the rapture 

That filled her soul once more to see her child. 
While e'en the father paused in awe struck silence 

To see her joy, so passionate and wild. 
And then together in the sunlight kneeling. 

They blessed their God for this most wondrous day, 
That from the cloud uplilted, in their bosom. 

Still rests their baby, their dear little May. 



12 



BABY'S WOR^H. 



How much do I ask lor Baby, 

I'd hardly like to tell ; 
For what I ask is beyond your reach, 

And I know it very well. 

I want all the wealth of the Indias, 

Increased by seventy fold, 
Bat that would never be half the worth 

Of one little curl of gold. 

I want all the Queen's Dominions, 
All the Castles, old and grand, 

But that would not pay me nearly 
For one little dimpled hand. 

I want all the sweet, fair flowers 
That dot this flower-decked earthy 

But that could not reach a moment 
What one little smile is worth. 



13 



I'd like to dwell in a palace, 

With its wonders of wealth and art, 

But it wouldn't be worth the sunshine, 
Of the love of my baby's heart. 

So I think it fair to tell you, 

Although you would like to buy, 

That what I ask is beyond your reach, 
I have set my price too high. 



The Kisher's Wike. 



" Hush your moaning baby Willie ! 
Hash your moaning so to-night, 
Papa's coming, surely coming. 
Up the bay at candle light. 
And I have delayed to light it 
"Till each cot along the shore. 
Twinkles like a star in Heaven — 
Darling, I will wait no more. 



14 



"Hush, my baby ! hear the breakers 
Dashing on the rocky coast, 
Do you know m}^ precious wee one, 
How your father's boat is tossed ? 
But he'll come — I know it darling, 
For he never broke his word ! 
How the wind is sweeping seaward. 
E'en our little cot is stirred. 



" Hush your wailing, Willie darling, 
Closer lie to mother's heart. 
Still its painful throbs, my baby, 
Kiss the tears back when they start ! 
Hark ! was that a footstep, Willie ? 
'No ! the wild wind answers now. 
Are you sleeping, baby darling? 
With a smile upon your brow. 

"Wake my baby, cheer your mother ! 
I had rather hear you moan. 
Weeping for the absent loved one 
Than be with my fears alone. 
Oh ! I see that bark so fragile 
On the wild sea rudely tossed ; 
God, in pity spare my husband. 
Let, oh let him not be lost ! 



15 



"Look up, Willie, baby darling, 
Fatber'll surely come to-nigbt, 
For he told me he'd be sailing 
Up the bay at candle light. 
N'ow the lights are brightly shining 
All along the rocky shore. 
And my own is in the window, 
Come my husband, I implore ! 

What is that ? Oh I hark, my baby I 
Hear that step upon the stone ; 
God be praised I my darling Willie, 
We'll no longer be alone. 
See him baby ; oh my husband ! 
0, my love, my joy, my life." 
On the broad and loving bosom 
Sank the thankful fisher's wife. 

And the baby ceased its moaning, 
Smiled, and laid its tiny hand 
On the bowed head of the mother, 
Happiest woman in the land. 
"I have kept my promise, Jennie, 
Many barks went down to-night, 
But my own came safely sailing 
Up the bay at candle light." 



1(5 



Little Two Year Old, 



Heaven's blessings pure and sweet, 
Fall around thy little feet, 
Till the path they daily tread. 
Leading ever straight ahead, 
Guides them safely to the fold : 
Mamma's darling two year old ! 

Blessings I would crave for thee, 
Yet upon life's troubled sea, 
I could never ask my child, 
That the way be always mild ; 
For the storms and clouds, my boy, 
Oft are cradles for new joy. 

And from out the smouldering fire 

Of some tender, lost desire. 

From the sorrow and the strife 

Comes a purer, better life, 

Formed and shaped in sufi:ering's mould ; 

Mamma's darling two year old ! 



17 



I would shelter thee, my boy, 

I would give thee every joy ; 

Yet I know a Master hand, 

Guides thee with His blest command 

If He leads thee through the flood 

T'will be only for thy good. 

Two years old, my darling boy. 
Two bright years of sunny joy ; 
By a father fond, carressed, 
Folded to a mother's breast, 
Rocked by love, and patient care, 
Sheltered by the wings of prayer. 

This thy life, sweet little Ray, 
Brighter on each passing day; 
Dearer to our loving hearts. 
As each flitting hour departs; 
Richer treasure far than gold, 
Precious little two year old ! 



18 



Sold. 



Sold, sold, sold 
For a paltry sum of gold ; 
A heart that had never a stain or blot, 
For rust or mildew had touched it not. 
The chambers were bright and glad and fair 
And the rose of happiness blossomed there. 

Lost, lost, lost. 
Who counteth the fearful cost, — 
Of the heart so warm on the altar laid. 
Of the room where roses will surely fade : 
Of the damp and mouldering mass ot flowers. 
Which she culled in her, girlhood's happiest hours?' 

Sold, sold, sold, 
A trusting heart for gold. 
Better to weave the sweet girl a shroud 
And carry her through the careless crowd— 
A beautiful corpse, than to deck her brow 
With the bridal wreath you're preparing now. 



19 



Weep, weep, weep, 
O'er the sin so sad and deep. 
Had she no loving friend, I praj^. 
To call her feet to the better way, 
To say that the gold wonld lose its sheen, 
That the world had ways she had never seen? 

Sold, sold, sold, 
A simple heart for gold ! 
The light will fade from the sweet brown eyes, 
Like the transient blue from the summer skies, 
And the roses pale, and the sweet lips sigh. 
Slowly this blossom will fade and die. 

Lost, lost, lost. 
Who counteth the tearful cost! 
Who will gather the trusting child. 
Up to their heart when her sea grows wild ? 
And speak to her of a peace divine. 
Of a blessed, holy, and sacred shrine. 

Mourn, mourn, mourn. 
For the heart so early torn 
Out of the trusting peaceful ark 
By the glittering bauble ; her path is dark. 
Place on her brow, white lillies fair 
They are type of the flowers her soul should wear. 



20 



PRESS Straight Amead. 



I used to think in the olden days 
That the way of the Lord was dim, 

That a terrible barrier lay between 
My yearning heart and Him ; 

But noio the way is plain to see, 

An angel has opened it up to me. 

I used to think as my baby lay 

Close folded to my heart, 
That my life would go out in anguish wild 

If we were torn apart ; 
But the Lord knew best ; He called her home. 
That my erring feet might cease to roam. 

And now the way that once was dark 

Oft' shines with a happy light, 
And I know that the glory my sad eyes see, 

Is the mark of her foot-prints bright 
As her little feet press on before, 
To open for me the golden door. 



21 



But once in the tempest of pain and care, 

I lo8t my guiding star, 
And my heart sunk down with a leaden weight 

To be left behind so far ; 
When the darkness was darkest, a sweet voice said, 
''I am waiting, mamma, press straight ahead.'' 

Do you think I ever can lose ray way, 

With those little feet to guide ? 
With that little heart so pure and true. 

Close up to her Saviour's side ? 
When the pathway is brightest, I close my eyes, 
And dream of our meeting in Paradise. 

It may be long ere my weary feet 

Shall enter the blessed gate, 
But I know the way, and I'll hasten on. 

Lest perchance, I may be late, 
Remembering ever that sweet voice said, 
^Tm waiting, mamma, press straight ahead,'^ 



22 



WHICH OK THE TWO. 



Which of the two I love the best, 

Or which is the dearer one to me ? 
Grod only know^s, I know the rest, 

That both are as dear as dear can be. 
One has eyes that fill with tears 

At the sight or sound of another's woes, 
The other carries a world of joy, 

Laughter and sunshine where'er she goes. 

One has a little willful way, 

That needs the curb of a firm, strong hand, 
The other will "paddle her own canoe," 

And bring it safely each time to land. 
They are fair alike in their mother's eyes, 

Both are a source ot pride and joy ; 
The angels smile on my little girl, 

But the Heavenly father guards my boy. 



23 



And into the watches of the night, 

When the mother heart with bitter grief, 
Mourns over the failures of the day, 

He sendeth a message of relief. 
For into His hands, the Good and Wise, 

I place my darlings, pure and sweet. 
And lay all the wealth of my treasures down, 

With trembling joy at the Master's feet. 

Which of the two in years to come 

Will ripen the promise these glad days bring ? 
Which of the two will hush the song 

That now is the only song I sing ? 
God keep my boy with his loving heart, 

God bless my girl with her sunny eyes 
Dancing into my very life. 

And making a little Paradise, 

Filling the house with a constant glee, 

Filling the house with a constant noise^ 
Bidding me weep o'er their little woes. 

And laugh with them o'er their little joys. 
There are playthiiigs strewn from the attic stair, 

All the way to the cellar door, 
A broken horse by the kitchen fire. 

And a headless doll on the parlor floor. 



24 



And who would gather the pla^^things up, 
And w^ho w^ould censure the children's glee? 

O, God, without it this earth would seem 
A dreary desert indeed to me. 

Which of the two I love the best, 

, Or which is the dearer one to me? 

God only knows, I know the rest. 
That both are as dear as dear can be. 



Orowino Old Tookthkr 



TO MY HUfeBAND. 



What matters it, we're growing old — 

We're growing old together, 
With hand in hand, and heart to heart. 

We mind not stormy weather. 
Our little boat is nobly manned. 

Love, Faith and Hope shall guide it. 
We'll stand together, side by side 

And brave all that betides it. 



2.1 



Our arms are strong, our hearts are iirm, 

To bear life's ills and losses; 
We hold a passport to a land, 

Beyond these earthly crosses. 
Your step is firm, as yet, my love, 

Your cheek with health is glowing, 
And in your veins the pure bright blood 

Of manhood's prime is flowing. 

And I am not the simple girl, 

Whose heart you crowned with loving 
A woman in your home to-day 

Her woman's heart is proving. 
And as the years go swiftly by. 

Life's phases all must alter, 
My hair with yours will gather snow ; 

My steps with yours will falter. 

I would not hear you mourn, dear one, 

That time so fleet is flying. 
For many rich and fruitful years 

Before our feet are lying. 
We'll try and make each moment bright, 

AYe'll fill the years with gladness. 
And live, to drive from other hearts, 

The sorrow, and the sadness. 



26 



We'll iive to scatter seeds of good, 

To water and to tend them ; 
We'll make fall many sad mistakes, 

We'll live, my own, to mend them. 
And when our heads with snow are bent, 

Like trees in wintry weather. 
We will not mind the growing old, 

We will be old together. 



Thk House Upon The Sand. 



"Where are you building ? " He said. 

And I answered him, "On the sand. 
In blind despair I slipped from the rock 

On the yielding unstable land." 
"Are you building on earthly things? " 

And I answered him, "Master, yes ; 
The fleeting pleasures, the dross of life. 

Arrayed in its gayest dress." 



27 



^'Is it better so," he said, 

And I answered him, "ask me not, 
For I cannot see o'er the wall of pride, 

And the past is all forgot." 
"Is it all forgot?" he said, 

And I answered him, "look around, 
My home is beautiful, fair to see. 

Though 'tis built on the yielding ground." 

"Have you no doubt?" he said, 

And I answered him, "Master, no. 
For this lovely vale is bright with flowers, 

And rough winds never blow." 
"Will they never blow ? " he said, 

"Will the sunshine never fail, 
And your feet find easy paths to tread. 

In this bright and pleasant vale ? " 

And I answered him, "Master, yes ; " 

But e'en as I spoke the word, 
A rumbling low, as of thunder, came. 

And the little vale was stirred. 
Then a blinding flash of light, 

And the w^inds began to roar. 
And the waves ran high as the tempest came, 

And dashed far up the shore. 



28 



Then a voice, like an angel's, said, 

"Can you stand the tempest's shock? 
Eemember, whatever betides the vale, 

E'o tempest can shake the rock." 
And I answered him, "Master, come, 

Come quick, e'er it be too late ! 
For my beautiful home in rain lies, 

And I stand at the outer gate." 

"Where would you build?" he said, 

As he looked at the desolatet land, 
And I answered him, "Master, never again 

Shall I build upon the sand." 
"But, will you not be afraid. 

When you hear the tempest's shock ? " 
And I answered him quickly, "Master, no I 

For I build on the solid rock. 



29 



TThk Rapids ok the St. Mary 



Oil the banks of the bright river, waiting for the light 
canoe, 

Which was soon to safely bear us, the St. Mary's Rapids 
through ; 

How my heart a moment faltered as I watched the whirl- 
ing waves, 

Holding up their white arms to us, smiling over silent 



But my fears as quickly vanished, and I mocked the 

waters whirl. 
As I watched the radiant features of the bright-eyed 

Indian girl ; 
And her merry cry, exultant as the boatman came iii 

view 
Stealins; noiselessly upon us, in his little birch canoe. 



30 



'' You are not afraid, dear lady ? " and she softly touched 
my hand, 

Though it was a tone of pleading, there was in it a com- 
mand. 

And I gently reassured her, as we entered the canoe. 

And were leaping, dancing, whirling, the St. Mary 
Rapids through. 

Onward ! guided by the pilot — onward through the wa- 
ters bright. 

Flashing, dashing In the sunshine, leaping up to meet 
the light; 

How the w^aters w^hirl and eddy — how they toss and 
foam and run. 

Lifting up their joyous faces, for the kisses of the sun. 

Whispering of the ''big sea water" — asking of the briny 
deep : 

Whither they are madly going — where they soon shall 
calmly sleep ; 

Or be w^ildly lashed to fury, by the raging of the storm ; 

Peering through the heavy darkness, at the tempest's 
dreaded form. 

Onward ! onward, o'er the rapids, while they madly 
dance and whirl. 

Echoing the merry laughter of the bright-eyed Indian 
girl ; 

Guided past tlie greatest danger — past each rock so 
sharp and wild. 

By the fearless Indian Pilot, trusting in him as a child ! 



31 



Oh ! how bright the dancing water, and I almost held 

my breath, 
As we whirled, and dashed, and glided, past the many 

gates of death ; 
And I never shall forget it, wildly, madly dancing 

through 
The bright rapids of St. Mary, in that little birch canoe. 



To THE RAPIDS OK THE ST. IVIARY, 



Oh ! laughing waves that leap and run, 
And toss your white arms to the sun, 
And chase each other one by one. 

Your danger I defied. 
Your playful gambols, like a child 
That ne'er by earth has been defiled. 
Your words of warning, weird and wild, 

I scornfully denied. 



•x-^ 



52 



I love your dancing waters well, 
To me there is a magic spell ; 
Oh ! rapids of St. Mary, tell— 

What is your power ? 
I love to watch the light canoe, 
Guided your swiftest waters Through 
By hands that, to their task are true. 

In evening hour. 

I love to feel the dancing wave, 
And know there is a watery grave 
So near that only God can save 

From certain death. 
When past the sharp and rugged rocks, 
Where oft the water rudely mocks 
And madly locks and inter-locks, 

We hold our breath. 



But still the faithful Indian guide 
Knows well the paths, none hath descried 
Save those who oft your waters ride 

Without a fear; 
And as we catch his earnest eye 
Fixed on the waves we dared to try, 
How eagerly we question why — 

To him 'tis clear. 



33 



Ah I yes, he knows each fatal rock, 
And at your waves would only mock. 
His boat can bear the rudest shock ; 

His arm is strong. 
How merrily we dance away, 
And whirl and dash like tossing spray ! 
Delighting with your waves to play. 

And hear their song. 

But now our merry ride is o'er, 
We only hear the rapids roar 
And wonder as we did before 

At your bright dower. 
I love your dancing waters well, 
O ! Rapids of St. Mary, tell- 
Where is your powder? 



34 



Thk Boatman's Child. 



It was a time when stormy winds 

Were sweeping o'er the land, 
And scattering destruction wikl 

Broadcast on every hand. 
When flooded rivers madly tore, 

And swept upon their way, 
All that they met, their outstretched arms 

Bore much of human prey. 

Within the Mississippi's bed, 

A fertile little isle, 
Lifted its sunny face to heaven 

With many a grateful smile. 
A little cot, embowered in green. 

Was nestled in the shade, 
And here, Irene, the boatman's child. 

From morn' till even' played. 



35 



All day, her father at his work, 

Thought of his darling chihl, 
The pride, the pleasure of his lite, 

"With eyes so blue and mi hi. 
All day, the daughter at her play 

Thought of her father true, 
And of her mother's grassy grave 

Beneath the sky so blue. 

And oft' at night the boatman went 

With reverent look and tread, 
To sit with Irene by the grave, 

And tell her of the dead. 
How w4ien she was a tiny babe, 

They laid her mother there. 
With lillie's in her snowy hands. 

And on her bosom fair. 



And so the days had slipped away 

With noiseless, painless tread. 
Until ten pleasant tranquil years, 

Had flitted o'er her head. 
And now^ 'tis even' and heavy clouds 

Are gathering, one by one ; 
Loudly and long the thunder roars, 

While Irene waits alone. 



36 



But soon her father's boat she sees, 

And runs with happy feet, 
Her laughter ringing on the air. 

Like joybells clear and sweet. 
The raindrops fall in torrents now, 

She laughs them all to scorn : 
" My little lass," — the boatman thinks — 

" A palace would adorn." 

Swift to the cottage now they fly, 

The father and the child, 
" The wind is rising, hark Irene ! 

The night is very wild." 
" But here we are so safe," she said, 

" And I'm so glad you've come ; " 
The Boatman answered with a smile, 

" God bless my child and home." 

But all night long the thunders roar. 

And faster falls the rain, 
And wild the wind that dashes it 

Against the window pane. 
Three days, three nights the tempest wild 

Has with them made it's home ; 
And now the river running mad 

Lifts up it's arms of foam. 



37 



The boatman sees with sinking heart, 

The water's rapid rise : 
He sees his little home afloat, 

To gain the shore is wise. 
And yet, how can he breast that flood? 

Stout heart, and brave, I wean. 
There is one thought, and only one, 

'Tis of his child, Irene. 

His only hope is in the shore. 

He calls her to his side, 
" See, darling, we must leave our home. 

Death is on every side ; " 
Her blue eyes look into his own. 

With light so pure and free, 
^' Dear lather I am not afraid. 

You'll take good care of me." 

He takes her to his loving heart. 

His boat was near at hand, 
" 0, God, thy strength," the boatman cries, 

" To help me gain the land." 
Out, out, into the angry flood. 

That laughs to see its prey, 
Aud catches it and tosses it 

Far in its arms away. 



38 



^' Irene, hold fast ! my child, my child, 

Your form I cannot see," 
Her sweet voice answers, "I am safe, 

You'll take good care of me " 
The shore, oh Heaven ! how far it seems, 

How little does he gain ; 
The torrent sweeps him farther down. 

He pulls with might and main. 

His eyeballs glow like living coals, 

His lips are stern and white ; 
^'Irene, my darling, say your prayers 

We'll be in Heaven to-night ; " 
"0 ! father, father, help has come, 

Mother is there with you ; 
I know her by her lovely hair. 

And by her eyes so blue. 

"Pull to the right, pull to the right. 

The way is bright before. 
And mother stands with outstretched hand 

To point us to the shore." 
On! on, brave father, nothing now 

Your strength can overwhelm. 
See, through the blinding, dashing spray, 

An angel at the helm. 



39 



"We're safe, we're safe," the boatman cries, 

"And Heaven lias sent us aid," 
For every muscle had been strained 

And every effort made ; 
"Once more, oh, darling of my life ! 

"I fold you to my breast, 
"Where ten long years I've fondled you, 

"And soothed you into rest." 

"Irene, if you have seen her face, 

"Who left me years agone, 
"It was because we were so near, 

"The portals of the dawn ; 
"And if her love has given us back 

"To life, and earth once more, 
"We'll nightly bless the angel hand 

"That brought us to the shore." 



40 



Adele's JVLISSION 



Night broods o'er the city, its snow laden breath 

Brings whisper of hunger and rapine and death ; 
Day brings to the city, joy, sunlight and peace, 

Night gives every demon of evil release. 
In one squallid garret, close huddled in fear. 

Two children were murmuring faint words of cheer, 
*'He may not come home till the morning," they said, 

"And may be he'll bring us a morsel of bread." 

"I'm hungry, so hungry," then to her breast 

The older one, softly the little one pressed. 
"Try darling to sleep, you'll dream if you do. 

And may be your beautiful dream will come true : 
Of flowers, and fountains and plenty to eat. 

And never to lie in the cold, dirty street. 
And — what is that Lolo ? then lower the head 

As she lists to that stumblina^, uncertain tread. 



41 



The door is tlirowii open, an oath meetr, their ears, 

Hope dies in their bosom extinguished by fear. 
^'Where are you, speak quick or FU murder you both/ 

Each sentence embellished with gesture and oath. 
^'Here father, but oh, please don't beat me to-night, 

"I haven't a penny, I walked till the light 
^'Was all gone from the sky. We're so hungry and cold," 

And the little one sobbed when her story was told. 

Oh merciless father, brute, demon thou art, 

Drink has closed every window and door of thy heart. 
Else never that hand could be raised to the child. 

Whose eyes now are watching, appealing and wild. 
She sank to the floor neath the weight of the blow, 

But sprang to her feet at the words, "Xow, where's 
Lo ? "^ 
^'Oh father, don't touch her, my darling, my pride, 

"Mother left her to me on the night that she died. 

"You may beat me again, I'll not murmur or cry, 

"But father, for Lolo, I'd willingly die." 
In vain is her pleading, his mad, brutal hand 

Grasps the fair fragile child and his angry command : 
-"Kow leave me Adele, do you hear wdiat I say?" 

She sprang to her feet like some hurt thing at bay. 
And the look in her eyes was so hunted and wild. 

For one moment he paused in surprise at the child. 



42 



^o word left her lips, but before he could guess, 

He caught the last fluttering glimpse of her dress 
As she fled dowu the stair, while her arms fondly pressed 

The sister she loved to her desolate breast. 
His voice met her ears and the sound of his feet, 

Down, down, down she flitted, then out in the street. 
Out into the darkness, out into the snow. 

With no one to point her young feet where to go. 

TJpbourne by the weight of her grief and despair, 

It mattered not then, anywhere, anywhere, 
On the wings of the wind with her burden she fled. 

Anywhere from the sound of that staggering tread. 
Anywhere from the weight of that uplifted hand, 

Anywhere in the breadth or the length of the land. 
But fainting and we^iry at last she sank down, 

She has come to a far better part of the town. 

It is quiet and still save the winds fitful cry. 

And here but for Lolo she gladly would die. 
She gives one sad look at the desolate night. 

When o'er her pale face falls a glimmer of light. 
It comes from a window whose curtain withdrawn 

Throws a bright ray of light o'er the snow-covered 
lawn. 
With the child in her arms to the window she crept, 

And gazed with full heart while she silently wept. 



43 



"Twas a fair, pleasant room with afire warm and bright, 
Books, pictures and flowers she saw by its light, 

And wondered if flowers could be found in the snow, 
And how the pale blossoms could learn how to grow. 

But the fairest of all in that fairy-like place 

Was the form of a woman, with half hidden face. 

There were tears in her eyes but they had not been shed, 

As the bell tolled tor midnight she bowed down her 
head 

A moment, then sprang to her feet and the child 

Heard her words like a prayer, so heart-broken and 
wild. 

'^^O father in Heaven, oh Savior of mine, 

Give, give back my husband, unsullied by wine." 

There are steps in the street, there's a form at the dcor, 
''Kept by business, Lucile, and your grace I implore. 

^'You are lonely and tired, but now little bride, 
"Here's a gift for your patience," she laid it aside. 

^'^o gift you could offer would fill me with bliss 

"Half so Heavenly and pure as your warm greeting 
kiss. 

^^Your lips all unsullied, oh husband of mine, 

"Your bright eye undaunted, unclouded by wine. 

'"Oh give me your promise this demon to shun, 

" 'Twill lead you to ruin, 'twill blot out life's sun." 

He laughed at her gently then drew to his side, 
This fair, little Avoman his scarce six months bride. 



44 



"I see no hurt in it, what harm can betide," 

"If you'll listen I'll tell you," a soft voice replied. 
They sprang to their feet in wondering amaze. 

Two poor little waifs met their pitying gaze. 
And the servant behind them "pray what could I do, 

For she begged at the door just one moment with you." 
The child all unheeding their pitying surprise. 

Came quickly towards them with sad upturned eyes- 

"O ! sir I will tell you what harm will befall, 
"Death, darkness and ruin, destruction to all. 

"Your wife will grow pale and this fair golden hair, 

"Will shine with the silver of pain and despair. 

"These eyes will grow hollow, these cheeks will grow 
thin, 

"There'll be darkness without, there'll be sorrow 
within, 

"Your home will be poverty's haunt of distress, 

"The end ot the harm, sir, you never can guess. 

"See here," and she pointed her poor swollen feet, 

All bleeding and torn by the stones of the street. 
And her white shoulders bearing the mark of the blow. 

And her torn, ragged dress and her face full of woe. 
"To-night from my father I hastened in fear, 

"He said he would beat her, this baby so dear. 
"My fair little Lolo, oh sir, do you see, 

"What hurt there is in it, what harm there can be?" 



45 



The child has ceased speaking, then husband and wife, 

In hashed solemn silence are filled with new life. 
His eyes are uplifted, the promise is given, 

And angels rejoice in the bright courts of Heaven. 
"So helping me God, I will never depart. 

With hand clasped in hand and with heart joined to 
heart." 
Then two little wanderers were sheltered and fed, 

And cuddled up close in a warm, downy bed. 

"They are ours from the Lord, He will care for his own^ 

"Their bruised feet will lead us close up to His throne. 
"Oh Lolo so fair, with your golden crowned head, 

"Dear gentle Adele, your sad lesson is read. 
^'And may God in His justice deal ever with me, 

"Little lambs from the flock as I e'er deal with thee^ 
^'And you my sweet wife, all your vigils are o'er, 

"With God's help, I never shall drink any more." 



4G 



Klorrik 



Such a tiny wee bit of a maiden, 

So dainty, and cunning-, and sweet, 
From the frown on the dear little forehead. 

To the soles ot the wdaite dimpled feet. 
So perfect, the Father has sent her, 

A little white lamb from "the fold;' 
Close — close in your sheltering hosoni. 

Keep her safe from the tempest and cold. 

There's a smile on^the sweet baby features. 

There's a laugh in the wondering eyes : 
The smile, for the angels who brought her, 

The laugh, for the earthly surprise — 
The rapture of finding a mother 

Has filled all lier being w^ith bliss. 
She still bears upon her the impress 

Of a land that is fairer than this. 



47 



O mother, sweet mother, the spirit 

Confided this day to your care 
Is a diamond your hand must make ready 

To shine 'mong His jewels so fair. 
The wee little hands must be guarded. 

The sweet tender heart must be fed. 
The dear little feet of your darling 

To the still, quiet waters be led. 

She's a tiny wee bit of a maiden, 

Xo flower more fragile or sweet. 
Still she binds every heart in her fetters. 

And brings you, like slaves, to her feet. 
With the love of the father and mother. 

Her wealth, all around her displayed; 
With the smile of the angels upon her. 

How blest is the dear little maid. 



48 



Are You Con/lino. 



Are you coiDing, clear, to meet me, 

With your face so glad and fair, 
Are you coming, baby darling, 

Down the radiant, shining stair? 
For last night I thought I saw you ; 

I had come a weary way ; 
And you hastened out to meet me, 

At the closing of the day. 

Oh, you were so fair, my baby ! 

With your arms outstretched to me ; 
And I held you to my bosom, — 

Where on earth you ne'er can be ! 
And I kissed your face, sweet baby. 

And your dainty, little hands. 
Just as I have longed to kiss them, 

Since you crossed the "golden sands.' 



4',) 



Then I awakened from my dreaming, 

And I sighed that 'twas a dream ; 
Still I ieel so very near yoii ; 

Still I see the lino^erino^ s^leam 
Of the light that shone about you. 

Of the glory on your face ; 
When the house is still, my darling, 

Every feature I can trace. 



Are you coming, surely coming, 

With your arms outstretched to me ? 
Shall I see you, precious baby, 

As last night I seemed to see? 
And sometimes I almost w^onder. 

If you ivere not at my side. 
Sent to me, by One who knoweth 

How I miss my babe that died. 

And it so, O baby darling, 

You will know my love so deep ; 
You will hear me when I call you, 

When the house is calm with sleep. 
And you'll often come to tell me, 

Of the joy in store for me, 
When I see you, precious baby, 

As last night I seemed to see. 



50 



I WANT TO Go Too." 



Oh ! I want to go too, I want to go too 

My darling, my own precious darling with you. 

They say there are fountains, and mountains and 

rills, 
And the sun shines bright on a thousand hills. 
They whisper of lands which no mortal eye 
Hath ever seen, where the bright clouds lie. 
There ! there is the gate hung with curtains blue. 
Oh ! I want to go too, I want to go too. 

I knew to-night when you lay so still, 
That the summons came over that beautiful hill, 
For you gazed so long that I grew afraid 
That your soul from mine had silently strayed. 
But you turned my darling, and held me fast 
In your warm embrace, it was not the last, 
For our Father knows that our souls are true, 
He is calling you darling, I want to go too. 



51 



I want to go too, from this world of care 

To that mystical country so grandly fair. 

When they give you the crown with jewels bright 

I want to be there, to watch their light. 

J want to hear the sweet words they say 

For which you have waited through many a day. 

''The work is well finished I gave you to do," 

Oh ! darlino' don't leave me, I want to ii^o too. 

And loved one, you know I won't want any crown 
For the light of your own will cast radiance down, 
And when the bright angels around you stand 
They'll not see me in that lovely band, 
ril love you so much and be happy there, 
Don't leave me alone in this world of care, 
When the beautiful gates close after you 
My heart will be broken, I want to go too. 

I want to go too ; when the angels come 

Tell them you jrromiscd to take me home, 

I want to be there, may be Jesus would bless 

In tenderest accents, your own little Bess. 

There are fountains and mountains and rocks and rills. 

And the sun shines bright on a thousand hills, 

■Oh I the gates are wide open, they're beckoning you, 

My darling ! my darling I I want to go too ! 



52 



Thk Noble Calling. 



Onward, brother, nobly onward ! 

Swell the ranks of truth and rights 
Let yonr light be grand and glorious ; 

For the cause ot justice fight. 
Shrink not from the field of labor 

Farthest from the path of fame ; 
Look not forward to the hour 

When a nation speaks your name. 

For if wealth and fame should meet yoii 

Half way up the rugged steep, 
At the close ot life, my brother. 

Would you not have cause to weep 
That your only aim had ever 

Been to reach the sparkling gem, 
Which a nation proudly gave you 

To adorn your diadem ? 



f):] 



E'er pursue in life the pathway 

That will aid your fellow man ; 
Be a lamp to guide them homeward; 

Strive to help them all yon can. 
Angel hands will point the glory 

That awaits you over there; 
Death will ne'er corrupt such jewels, 

They are ever bright and lair. 

Gently raise a fallen brother, — 

Jesus' lost and weary sheep ; 
And, remembering His example, 

Lead them up the rugged steep. 
Just across the mystic river. 

In that pure and sinless land, 
Angel forms will gladly watch you, 

And will lend a gentle hand. 

To direct your footsteps ever 

Higher up the mountain side, 
Nearer to the happy mansions 

Just across the flowing tide. 
When the toilsome march is ended 

And the pain of life has fled. 
Oh! what joy to see some wanderer 

That your words have homeward led ; 



54 



Or to hear the gentle blessing 

Of the trusting little child 
That your hands had gently guided 

To the savior undeiiled. 
Onward, brother, nobly onward ! 

Swell the ranks of truth and right, 
Let your light be grand and glorious;; 

In the noblest calling fight. 



^A/HAT IS THE USE OK KREXTING? 



What is the use of fretting, 

And wearing our life away 
With the little trials and crosses 

That meet us every day ? 
They will only naake us stronger 

If we use them to our good ; 
They are surely blessings to us 

But how little understood ! 



55 



What is the use of fretting 

When through this bustling world, 
In a sort of wild contusion, 

We seem to be ever hurled, 
While others are gently carried 

And feel not the grief and pain ; 
And their white hands have no labor 

And are free from the slightest stain ? 

What is the use, I wonder ? 

Will it bring our lost time back 
And set our feet so erring. 

In a purer, better track ? 
And will it cause the sinning 

Of this bustling world to cease. 
And carry us still more gently 

In the way of perfect peace ? 

Will it make us happier, better? 

And nearer our loving God? 
To fret and repine, and murmur. 

At the hand which holds the rod? 
Will it brinor to us more of sunshine 

If we weep when the clouds are low^ ? 
If we raise our hands with wailing, 

Will it ward from us the blow? 



& 



56 

What is the use of frettiu 

And wearing life away, 
With the little trials and crosses 

That meet us every day ? 
They will only make us stronger 

If we use them to our good, 
They are surely blessings to us 

But how little understood. 



IVIRS. Santa Ct^aus, 



DECEMBER 25, 1885. 



Good evening my good people ! 
I'm glad to see you all ; 
To-night I hold reception, 
Enter the magic hall. 

And now you all are seated, 
After this little pause 
ril introduce your hostess : 
I'm Mrs. Santa Glaus. 



57 

You see, my dear old husband 
Is in sueli great demand, 
He's like a flying meteor 
Over this mighty land. 

And so one day he told me: 
"You'r snch a little mouse, 
I hardly dare to ask you 
To venture from the house ; 

"But surely you will aid me 
Just at this Christmas time, 
And for the sake of others 
Will leave your native clime. 

"Within a distant city 

There is a little home, 

Where loving hearts will greet you,. 

Rejoiced that you have come. 

"There you most hold reception. 
And fill the house with glee. 
Xow listen and I'll tell you 
How many there will be. 

"There's Grandpapa and Grandma 
O ! that's a pleasant sight, 
And dear Papa and Mamma 
Whose heart's with joy are light ; 



58 

"Uncle Charley and Annt Eva, 
Hortie and blue-eyed Ray, 
There's Harold and the baby 
O, such a Christmas day ! 

*'And there is little Norma 
The precious heaven sent child, 
And gentle little Inez, 
With ways so sweet and mild." 

And so, my dear good people, 
I never stopped a minute, 
Eut ordered up my little sleigh, 
And quickly scrambled in it. 

And so for just one little hour. 
We'll bid farewell to sorrow, 
Resolving if we think it best 
To shoulder it to-morrow. 

These loving gifts from loving hands 
Will fill your hearts with pleasure. 
We'll thank the Master dear for all, 
And over-run the measure. 



59 



Kaitth. 



A poor boy lay in a hospital ward, 

And bis beavy eyes were dim, 
He knew tbat the angel of death was there, 

Patiently waiting for him. 

T'w^as a poor maimed form, and he moaned with 
pain. 

When a little comrade came 
And bending above the dying bed 

He quickly breathed his name ! 

"Say Bobbie say, have you ever heard 

Of Jesus, who gives us rest? 
If we only ask, it is ours you know. 

For he does what is right and best." 

The eager eyes for a moment turned 

"I never heard," said he, 
"But I cannot go, for I'm dying Jim, 

So what is the use to me ? " 



()0 



^'But Bobbie listen, for it may be 
That He will come this way, 

And then you'll ask him to give you rest, 
To give you rest to-day." 



"But Jimmie I cannot keep awake 

So he can hear my cry, 
For I shall be so sound asleep 

When Jesus passes bye." 



-"But Bobbie listen ! He'll give you rest 
And you're so tired and weak. 

Hold up your hand, He'll come this way 
E'en if you do not speak." 



The little hand was gently raised. 

He dropped it with a sigh, 
"It aint no use — I am too weak 

They say I'm going to die." 



"O, Bobbie let me prop it up ! 

I want you to find rest 
And love and mercy, both they say 

Are warm in Jesus breast. 



61 



"I've got my pillow, Bobbie deaiv 
Your hand is plain in sight, 

I've propped it up so He can see 
If He comes by to-night." 

The morning came, the sun began 

Its journey to the west, 
When Jimmie stole to Bobbie's bed 

To hear him speak of rest. 

The little hand was still held up, 

And that unspoken cry, 
Had reached the Saviour's loving ears 

For "Jesus had passed by." 

Upon the forehead still and white. 
And on the pulseless breast, 

A gentle hand had touched the child 
And Bobbie had found rest. 



62 



To THK LIQUOR SELLKRS OK- 



Oh! listen, listen to the cry 

That comes from bleeding hearts, 
Eeneath a crushing weight of woe 

The teardrop quickly starts. 
Oh ! hear the prayer, the pleading prayer. 

And turn not thou away, 
■Give up this work that early leads 

Our darling ones astray. 

•Oh ! from thy counters take the bowl. 

Filled to its brim with woe. 
Break thou the chains w4iich hold them fast, 

And let our loved one go. 
Give, give them back to us once more, 

Thoua'h thev have wandered far. 
Angels w^ill help us win them back. 

The gate of Heaven's ajar. 



63 



Take thou the tempting cup away, 

List' to our pleading prayer, 
Over thy life a curse shall hang 

That will be hard to bear. 
For oh ! remember that this earth 

Is not the end of life, 
It may be full of bitterness. 

Of worse than earthly strife. 

Oh ! cans't thou see a sweet child weep 

With anguish deep and wild. 
Knowing that thou hast caused its grief. 

Made it a drunkard's child? 
Or see fair woman droop and die, 

Too frail to bear the life, 
Worse, far, far worse each day, than death 

To her, a drunkard's wife? 

Oh ! can'st thou see the bloated form, 

The pain distorted face. 
Knowing it was tliy hand tluit stamped 

That name with dark disgrace ? 
And can'st thou hear the widow's cry. 

One hour of sorrow save. 
To her who kneels, with broken heart. 

Beside a drunkard's grave ? 



64 



Oh ! say not thou, "'tis not my work, 

I give but what they ask," 
Beyond death's gate thy life shall be 

Freed from its earthly mask. 
Each day upon thy counter stands 

The beverage of Hell ; 
Sometime these words may sorrow bring, 

"You tempted, and we fell." 

Oh I lure them not, our darling ones, 

With breaking hearts we pray. 
Lead not one soul, one precious soul. 

From honor's path astray. 
Then from thy counters take the bowl, 

Filled to its brim with woe. 
Break thou the chains which hold them fast. 

And let our loved ones go. 



65 



The Warnino. 



Brothers, I am surely going! 

E're I leave this world of sin, 
Xiet a boon companion tell you 

AVhat a weight I feel within. 
Let me urge you to forsake it, 

This the wine cup's maddening spell, 
Which, wdth all its fateful fury 

Brought my spirit down to hell. 

'Comrades, come up nearer to nie, 

You have ceased your jests to-night, 
And are strangely hushed and quiet 

When "death's angel" stands in sight. 
I must cross the rapid river. 

You this stream will some day pass; 
Am I ready V Heaven answer. 

Will you he ? My friends, alas ! 



66 



'Tis a strange, perplexing question, 

Last night I would rudely scorn 
Such a thought, but I shall surely 

Meet my Judge before the morn. 
Many souls I've led to ruin, 

N^ow death stares me in the face ; 
And I am the veriest coward, 

Seeking for a hiding place. 

Comrades lift me up a little ! 

Surely you are not afraid ! 
Do you see the dreaded monster 

Standing by me all arrayed? 
Promise me, my boon companions, 

That you'll leave this den of sin ! 
And before the morrow finds you, 

Life's great lesson will begin. 

Brought to death by mortal combat,. 

Sent to meet a soul in hell, 
Dark as mine, for I am going 

Where I sent him, boys, farewell ! 
No ! Don't leave me yet, my comrades,. 

It's not long you'll have to stay, 
Truly it is almost over. 

Promise, ere I go away. 



67 



Oh, my God ! Is there no mercy ? 

"Wine ! Thou curse of human kind ! 
Leading spotless spirits downward 

To that place for sin assigned. 
Oh, farewell ! I cannot see you ; 

With my latest dying hreath, 
Eoys, I warn you, boys, I warn you. 

Do NOT DIE A drunkard's DEATH. 



To MY Son Rav. 



In this the morning of your life, 
When every bud fair promise holds, 
Look well my boy that at its heart 
The rose no unclean thing enfolds. 

Be firm in truth, be strong in right; 
Lift up the fallen, cheer the sad. 
Start some pure little stream of good 
'Twill help to make the whole earth glad. 



6S 



Thk Drunkard's Child 



The "Storm-king" was raging, the shadows of night 

Crept over the village and hid all the light, 

Each curtain was drawn, the wind hurried by, 

And to the tired passer, gave only a sigh ; 

When slowly and sadly, rose up on the air 

A tiny child's voice, as she uttered a prayer. 

A stranger in hurrying so rapidly past. 

Heard the words that she tremblingly murmured at last. 

"Kind Father have mercy, this storm is so wild, 

Oh ! pity poor Minnie, the drunkards's lone child." 

The stranger drew near her, she knelt all alone, 

The blast as it passed her, bore only a moan ; 

The slight form was bent, as in pleading and prayer, 

While the clouds slowly rifted, he saw she was fair ; 

And bending above her, he tenderly said, 

"Poor child, come with me," but she raised her young 

head — 
"No, thank you, I can not ; my father is here, 
And though he's a drunkard, oh sir ! he is dear. 
I'm used to the storm, be it lonely and wild, 
No one waits here for father, but Minnie his child. 



69 



The stranger reached out for the door of the place 

That brings oh ! so many to sin and disgrace. 

He opened the way to a dark, dingy room, 

But the door stood ajar, like the door of a tomb, 

That led to another, and liere gathered 'round. 

With singing and laughter to shut out the sound 

Of the storm as it hurried so piteously on. 

As if even this place of destruction to shun, 

Were the drunkard's companions, while Minnie, poor 
child, 

Was waiting without, in the tempest so wild. 

He hurried away with a sigh from the place 
Wiien he saw one form sleeping the sleep of disgrace; 
He knew it was death that had stamped that cold brow, 
Though the drunkard's companions thought not of it 

now ; 
And sitting down near her, he drew her to him, 
The lamp other life, growing momently dim. 
"Dear Minnie," he whispered, "I've sad news to tell, 
But you know that your Father in Heaven doeth well; 
You never need wait in the cold bitter rain. 
Your father is free from this earth and its pain." 



70 



He drew her up close to his broad loving breast, 
And thought of his daughter, forever at rest, 
When softly she whispered, "please sir, can I see 
What once was my father, oh ! now he is tree. 
The stranger looked down on the pure upturned face, 
Then thinking "her spirit will brighten the place," 
He opened the door, without thinking of fear, 
To the cold senseless form, she quickly drew near, 
■^' Where father has gone, there no storm r^ges wild, 
He is calling me gently, "come Minnie, my child." 

Then kneeling, she tenderly laid her young face 

•Close up to the one deeply stamped with disgrace. 

And awed into stillness by presence of death. 

They silently waited, each holding their breath. 

That night up in Heaven, where all is so fair, 

A bright little spirit with soft golden hair 

Led a dark form along, till she bowed at the cross. 

And whispered, "dear Jesus it was through thy loss 

So many were purified, earth's sea was wild. 

Take my father, dear Savior, and Minne, his child! " 



71 



TmK EXIIvK'S Drkani. 



I dreamed last night that it was gone, 

The weary pain of years ; 
I dreamed the stain was washed away 

By my repentant tears. 
Again I felt a father's hand 

Laid gently on my head, 
And low and gentle were the words 

That he in blessing said. 

My mother stood with out-stretched arms 

Extended to her boy, 
And sister Kellie's dark bine eyes 

Were filled with tears of joy. 
Again we gathered 'round the board. 

And smiles were on each face. 
And pleasure ruled the fleeting hours 

With her bewildering ways. 



72 



And when my father knelt in prayer 

Among that happy band, 
I fondly knelt at mother's side 

And clasped her loving hand, 
Just as I did in boyhood days 

Before the shadow came 
That blackened all our lives with woe, 

And stained the honored name. 



And thick and fast my tear drops fell, 

As father prayed for all. 
And murmured "blest be thy dear name, 

For thou hast heard our call." 
But when we rose to say "good night," 

And Nellie kissed my brow, 
I felt the maddening pain again, 

Just as 1 feel it now\ 



For oh, I drank the sparkling ivine ! 

And fell beneath its power ; 
I took the life I could not give 

In an unguarded hour ; 
And though I fled from justice far, 

Through all these weary years, 
I've heard my father's bitter cry 

And seen my mother's tears. 



73 



Oh ! ye who love tlie tempting glass, 

List to my pleading prayer, 
Turn from the maddening mocking spell ! 

The murderer's fate beware ! 
My life is filled with bitter woe, 

And stripped of pleasure's flowers ; 
I only see the forms I love 

In dreamland's mystic hours. 



The Warnino Voice. 



y^e said when the beautiful summer 

Had donned its fair mantle of flowers, 
We would choose from its casket ot beauty 

Its lovliest, happiest hours. 
And my lover stooped lower and murmured, 

"June roses, my darling, shall be 
'The flowers thy bridal wreath twining. 

The flowers X covet for thee. 



74 



" I would ask for its loveliest blossoms, 

With their leaves all besprinkled with dew ; 
They, alone, to my heart tell the story 

Of lovers so loyal and true." 
So, kissing my forehead, he whispered, 

" June roses the flowers shall be : 
Fair tokens of love, pure, undying. 

My darling, to you, and to me. 

"We must part for a season, my loved one ; 

But the winter will soon speed away, 
Remember the roses that herald 

Our happy and bright w^edding day ; 
And now I must leave you a little — 

God bless you — wherever you be, 
June roses, dew glistening, shall cover 

A bridal wreath, soon, love, for thee." 

Then out in the sweet, quiet twilight 

He passed from my hungering sight, 
And I watched him until he had vanished, 

In the darkness and gloom of the night ; 
Then I turned to sweet thoughts of the future, 

What a treasure 'twas bringing to me, 
The words of my lover repeating : 

" June roses, my darling, for thee." 



75 



And then in the shadowy stiUuess, 

The rustle of garments I heard, 
And a voice, full of warning and pity, 

Spoke plainly each terrible word — 
I knew 'twas the voice of an angel 

That came in the stillness to me — 
-** June roses may cover a coffin. 

But a bridal wreath, never, for thee." 

And so, when the morning came, slowly 

Adorning the beautiful East, 
I turned me from thoughts of the future. 

As the starving in passing a feast. 
'The words of the angel seemed ringing 

O'er mountain and valley and sea, 
■''June roses may cover a coffin. 

But a bridal wreath, never, for thee ! " 



76 
I'lVL AFRAID 



^'Mother ! " cried a dying boy, 

As he clasped her loving hand ; 
While the darkness round him fell, 
Shutting out the watching band ; 
^'Mother, darling, hold me fast. 

And by your maternal aid, 
I can better cross the stream ; 
Hold me fast for I'm afraid." 

Soft and low her vVords were falling, 
O'er the stream her voice was calling;, 
*'Lean not on my earthly aid 
Jesus calls, be not afraid." 

**Darling husband, nearer bend, 

I can scarcely see your face ; 
Hold me closer to your breast. 

In this mournful last embrace. 
Come and scatter flowers bright, 
Where my form is lowly laid ; 
Do not, do not let me go. 

Darling husband I'm afraid." 

Soft and low his words were falling. 
O'er the stream his voice was calling ;. 
"Lean not on my earthly aid, 
Jesus calls, be not afraid." 



77 



"Gentle sister," cried a youth, 

"Through these years of grief and pain 
You have always shared niy lot, 

Helped to clear away each stain. 
Now I feel the hand of death ; 
See the monster all arrayed, 
Hide me from his awful power, 
Sister keep me, I'm atraid. 

Soft and low her words were tailing, 
O'er the stream her voice was calling; 
"Lean not on my earthly aid, 
Jesus calls, he not atraid." 



All thy terrors, dreaded death, 

All thy pain seems swept away ; 
By the thought that Jesus stands 

Nearer than thou ever may. 
Even when thy call is heard, 

And in all thy state arrayed, 
Steals the Savior's loving voice, 
"It is I, be not afraid." 

Soft and low His accents falling, 
To our tired spirit calling; 
"Lean upon my Heavenly aid, 
It is I, he not afraid." 



78 



N4Y Husband's Room 



Ah ! sad are the thoughts that fill my brain, 

As drearily, drearily falls the rain ; 

And the wind hurries past, with trembling sighs, 

'Till among the tall cedars, it mournfully dies. 

All nature seems shrouded in darkness and gloom ; 

As I sit alone in my husband's room. 

'Twas only a year ago to-night, 

That life was so beautiful, clear and bright. 

The birds w^ith my singing seemed to vie ; 

Alas ! I dreamed not that joy could die, 

And I watched the flowers, with their sweet per- 
fume. 

As they budded and bloomed in my husband's room. 

He was my Idol, each day I knelt. 
But never could utter the thanks I felt; 
The Father knew, and he saw my heart, 
And severed the chain of our lives apart ; 
My darling was laid in the silent tomb. 
And I mourn alone in his sacred room. 



79 



When the dark shadows close over my life, 
And nothing I see but its strange bitter strife, 
I come to this place, and the tears quickly start; 
'Twas here that he gathered me close to his heart, 
And whispered, "Sweet bride when I'm laid in the 

tomb. 
Will you come, sometime, to your husband's room ? " 

And when in the shadows I sit alone. 
And the hours of waiting have w^eary grown, 
When I see all my life with its ways of sin, 
A ripple of music comes floating in, 
And everything weareth a look of bloom, 
As I sit alone in my husband's room. 

Yes, when I sit in the shadowy night, 

"Our Father" sendeth a ray light. 

And whispers "Poor wand'rer look upward tor peace, 

Soon, soon I will give to your spirit release; 

In my beautiful mansions, sweet flowers bloom, 

And there you will find your husband's room." 

Patiencly now I am learning to wait. 
My Savior will open the bright "pearly gate," 
And there, in that beautiful land I will see 
The one who has waited in love for me ; 
And where the bright flowers eternally bloom, 
I shall find him there in his beautilul room. 



.80 



One Bv One, 



One by one they cross the river, 
One b}^ one they press the strand ; 

One by one they pass the portal 
Of the bright eternal land. 

One by one the crowns are given 
Set with gems of truest worth. 

Sparkling Jewels which they gather 
In their journey while on earth. 

Some with bright unspotted garments 
Quickly press the shining stair ; 

Others wait beside the portal, 

'Till their garments grow more fair. 

But in tancy we can see them 
With their teet upon the strand, 

E'er the angel bids them enter 
To the glories of the land. 



81 



Must we wait beside the portal V 
When shall end life's bitter care, 

Or with bright unspotted garments 
Quickly press the shining stair. 

And when looking through the vista 
Of the golden steps before, 

Hear the pattering sound ol footsteps, 
As we did in days ot yore. 

While we press the dainty figure 
Ot some loved one, bright and fair 

Who with radiant smile has met us 
Halt way up the "golden stair." 

One by one they cross the river. 

One by one they press tlie strand, 
•One by one they pass the portal 
Of the bright eternal land. 



82 



WAITINO : 



Waiting in the golden glory 
While the sun of life goes clown, 
Gemmed with brightest clouds, all shining 
From the radiance of the crown. 
While the lovely glimmer points us 
To the bright and open gate. 
Where the peace of Heaven whispers, 
"Here no weary soul need wait." 

Waiting while the rays are fading. 
As the angels gladly sing, 
One more spotless soul in Heaven, 
Hear the heavenly arches ring. 
Waiting as the last faint glimmer 
Fades in silent gloom away. 
Telling us that angel fingers 
Closed the shining gates of day. 



83 



■Only opened for a moment, 

As our loved ones enter in, 

Can we mourn ? We know forever 

They are free from griet and sin. 

Waiting when the song is ended 

That a moment bade us smile, 

Though our weary hearts were breaking 

And we knew it all the while. 

When our sun of lite is setting, 

Shall the angel's voice be heard ? 

Saying softly, "fold thy mantle, 

For it is thy Master's word." 

Shall the "gates of day" be opened ? 

And the glory of that land 

Fall a moment o'er the valley 

Where our mourning loved ones stand? 

Oh ! the gems that shine the brightest 
Are the ones the angels bring, 
From our hearts most simple kindness, 
Sweetest songs o'er them they slug. 
Waiting in the golden glory 
While the sun of life goes down, 
Gemmed with brightest clouds, all shining 
From the radiance of the Crown. 



84 



Chart. OTTE Corday, 



In the Corcoran Art Gallery at Washington, there hangs a beau- 
tiful picture, to which every visitor involuntarily returns a second 
time It represents a young and beautiful girl gazing out from behimJ 
the bars of a prison cell. There is such a depth of sadness in the 
face ; the beautiful, pleading eyes follow one so wistfully, and yet, 
there is such high courage in them, the Artist has portrayed the 
expression so perfectly, that one can scarcely realize that t'hey are 
not gazing upon real grief, and that this is a work of art. 

The subject of the picture, Charlotte Corday, was born at St. 
Saturnin, in the department of Orne, in 1768 kShe came from a noble 
family and was possessed of a remarkable beauty. Her life was cast 
in that stormy period of French history, and all that w^as good and 
heroic within her. revolted at the blood-thirsty deeds of Robespierre, 
Danton and Marat, "the triumvirate of blood," and she resolved that 
one of these oppressors must die, that her country might in some- 
measure be freed from its thralldom. 

She went to Paris, still undecided as to whether she should slay 
Robespierre or Marat. Hearing that the latter had issued an order 
for the lives of one or two hundred thousand more victims for the 
guillotine, settled the question for her beyond a doubt After two 
unsuccessful attempts to gain admission to ]Marat, she finally pre- 
vailed by representing that she had important new>^ from Corea to 
communicate. Marat informed her that a party who had fled to 
Normandy, among whom were some of her friends, would be guillo- 
tined in a few day She instantly plunged the dagger into the vil- 
lain's heart. 

Without a moments hesitation she took her life in her hands and 
gave it for those she loved. She was immediately arrested and 
brought before that merciless tribunal, before which so many vic- 
tims had quailed in terror. Her brave, heroic spirit upheld her 
through this lerrible ordeal and she boldly justified her act. She 
was condemned to die by the guillotine and bravely met her fate 
July 17th, 1793. 



8fl 



CHARLOTTE CORDAY. 



•Oh ! fair, sweet face, behind thy prison bars. 
Comes there no ray ot light into thy gloom V 

See those sad eyes the pale light of the stars, 
Beyond the darkness of thy coming doom? 

The morning comes, the evening steals away, 
The hours steal on, and bring no rest to thee, 

The dagger Irom that lirm white hand is torn, 
Raised yester morn to set thy country free. 

Oh, reign of terror I well may hearts stand still 

At memory of the carnival of blood. 
And where the stream ran reddest, down the hill 

One fair, frail maiden stepped to stem the Hood. 

The shadow from thy name has quickly tlown, 

The bloodstain vanished from thy soft, white hand; 

A beauty lingers round thee, all thine own, 
A depth of sadness we may not withstand. 

Charlotte Corday, the world shall bear thy face 
Touched by the painter's skill, down all the years ; 

The sweet appeal, the beauty, and the grace 
Seen through a mist of sympathizing tears. 



86 



A DRKAN4 



I dreamed last nigh a strange tbrbodiiig dream, 

It filled my soul with fancies old and dim, 

And plainly proved to me, the sacred truth, 

That each and every deed is known to Him. 

I dreamed that I within a castle grand 

Stood waiting in a solitary room, 

Waiting, for what I knew not, yet I closely watched 

And prayed for something in the silent gloom. 

Nor did I wait in vain, the grand old room 
Filled slowly with a pure etherial light. 
And in the center, clothed in spotless robes. 
An angel stood with features strangely bright. 
Within one hand he held a casket rare 
The other pressed a shining golden key — 
*'Come trusting child of earth and I will ope, 
And you shall all its precious treasures see. 



Here is the answer to your prayer— he said, 
Here in this casket strangely wrought and fair 
And they are yours, until you build too high 
Your idol on these jewels rich and rare. 
He laid the casket in my trembling hand, 
And casting on my face a look of love. 
'Tis yours he said until you prize it more 
Than Him who ruleth earth and heaven above." 

I bore the jewels with me to my home, 
And placed them where no taint would ever fall 
Upon my precious treasures, whom I loved 
Better than all the world, exceeding all. 
Daily I knelt and kissed each sparkling stone. 
Daily my fingers handled them with aare. 
That nothing would befall my priceless gems. 
Ah ! very soon became my daily prayer. 

■One day the sky was darkly overcast; 

I hurried to my gems, with eager trust ; 

I took them from their place, to watch their light, 

They crumbled in my hand to silent dust. 

And looking up I saw the angel's face, 

I heard his voice, my heart with grief was sore : 

•"How has your idol fallen ? child of earth, 

You loved your God, but loved your jewels more.' 



88 



I wakened from the dream, and sadly thought^ 
Oh ! is this but an emblem of my life ? 
Will it be ever full of strange unrest? 
Be ever full of bitterness and strife? 
And will the idol I have placed so high 
Sink to the level of the common world ? 
O'er his dear head may honor's banner bright 
In its sweet fairness ever be unfurled. 



He is the beauteous casket, rich and rare ; 
His soul the priceless jewel tharein placed. 
Go ! seek the world, and you will never find 
A casket by a brighter jewel graced. 
Oh ! God in mercy guard this precious gem 
In whom I hold such pure, confiding trust. 
How has he fallen, may I never say, 
E"or see my idol crumble into dust. 



S9 



Wherk Is Hkaven?*' 



Ask me not my friend to tell you 

Where the wondrous country lies ; 
Ask me not to solve the mystery, 

Answered only from the skies. 
Where ? I know not : often reaching 

Out my hand in mute despair 
Echos from my soul the question, 

Cannot some one tell me "where?" 



Only when my heart is saddest 

Does the answ^er ever come ; 
When the clouds have slowly drifted 

From the lovely blue arched dome, 
Then I feel a gentle presence, 

Kike an answer to my pjayer, 
"Search the soul that God has given, 

You will find the answer theje." 



90 



"Human wisdom cannot tell us, 

Angels only hold the key, 
They unlock the spirits portal 

Open wide for you and me, 
And they say that spring of beauty 

Welleth from a fountain fair. 
Sparkling in a land called Heaven ; 

Heaven is near us, everywhere. 

"Love and Truth are guardian angels, 

Bending o'er earth's children here. 
Sent by Him who never sleepeth. 

Making earthly ties more dear." 
Then the voice grows faint and fainter. 

Life assumes its look of care. 
Dimmer grows the happy vision 

And my own soul echos "where? " 



9] 



No Face At The Window. 



There's no dear face at the window now 

Whenever I pass that wa}^, 
The sash is never hastily raised, 

And the breezes never play 
Among the masses of dark brown hair, 

Brushed back from the girlish brow. 
When I pass the quiet road, I think 

" There's no face at xhe window now." 



'Tis a lonely road, but one pleasant spot 

I saw as I passed that w^a}- ; 
A little cottage embowered in green 

Where the evening breezes play. 
And each quiet ride, had a memory sweet 

And it lay in that sunny place, 
For in summer or winter the sash was raised 

And I saw the girlish face. 



9:2 



And I grew so used to nieetiiig the smile, 

And answering the fluttering hand, 
As it waved a welcome so sweet to me, 

That it came like a glimpse of land ; 
When a ship has long, long been at sea 

And lirst the hills appear, 
Oh ! that was the scene of joy that came 

At the sight of that face so dear. 

I pass by the lonely fields as oft 

As I go at my master's call. 
But now when the summer roses bloom 

And the voices of song-birds fall, 
The breezes never lovingly brush 

The beautiful girlish brow, 
The sash is never hastily raised 

There's no face at the window now. 



]^o face at the window ! ah me, ah me ! 

The cottage embowered in green. 
Wears a lonely look as I pass that way 

Where once the face was seen — 
The blinds are drawn and the silence creeps 

All through the cot, I trow ; 
And my heart grows sad as I think with a sigh 

"There's no face at the window now." 



m 



But my eyes have turned to the distant sky 

To the beautiful clouds of gold, 
When as by the Father's loving hand 

They silently, softly unfold 
And the heavenly breezes brush that brow 

And plays 'mong the soft brown hair, 
And her snowy hand is waved tc me, 

There's a face in the window there. 



SoMK Onk ^o Love. 



No one to love me, one year ago ; 
No one to pity my hearts' dismal woe. 
Far from my kindred, far trom my home; 
No one to care if forever T roam. 
Friendless and lonely with no one to love, 
Sadly I thought of my treasures above, 
A stranger I wandered the wide city through, 
Nothing to wait for and nothing to do. 



94 



ISlo one was waiting with welcoming kiss, 
For my sad heart was no pleasure like this. 
Cold were the faces I met in the streets, 
Ceaseless the bustle of hurrying feet. 
Down in the darkness of doubt and despair, 
My heart's better feelings were shivering there. 
Only a year ago no one to love, 
Longing to meet with my treasures above. 

Only a year ago, now all is bright ; 

Oh ! my proud heart is so happy to-night. 

Some one to love me forever and aye; 

Some one to wait for me when I'm away ; 

Some one has filled my cup brimming with bliss,. 

And she is waiting with welcoming kiss ; 

Now in the hurry of bustling teet, 

Stealeth a music so soft and replete. 

Now in the faces once faded and old — 
Faces to me that were formal and cold — 
Catch I faint glimp.-es of heaven above. 
They've some one to pray for them, some one to 

love ; 
And I can echo their laughter to-night — 
All of the flowers in my spirit are bright. 
Dear Angels, help me my happiness prove ! 
Tve some one to pray for me — some one to love. 



1)5 



TtiK Cross And Crown. 



Take up your burden, my brother ; 

Dispairing, oh ! turn not away ; 
Lighter it grows as you journey 

The beautiful pat i way of day. 
'Till, when you reach the dark river, 

It slips from your arms in the tide, 
And your brow gleams with beautiful jewels. 

When your feet touch the bright pearly side. 

Take up your cross, tired servant; 

The scoiis of a sin-hardened world ; 
Most bitter and cruel anathemas 

At Christ, your great Captain, were hurled. 
And your faith must needs burn all the brighter, 

When you think that the path you have trod, ' 
With its thorns, its temptations and crosses, 

Was pressed by a suffering God. 



96 



Take up your cross, oh, my brother ! 

Remember the Friend that is near ; 
Whose arms are enfolded about you, 

WLo sees every penitent tear. 
Not in YOUR strength can you carry 

The burden of heaven sent down : 
And not by your own strength, my brother. 

Could you gain the great height of a crown. 

Oh ! think of the pearls you can scatter, 

In this, the bright seed time of love. 
With patience and hope for your watch-words, 

Faich leading your spirit above. 
Then cheerfully take up life's crosses, 

By merciful heaven scut down, 
To lead us still nearer the Master, 

Who waits with the grace given crown. 



Dear Brothkr, Conik Back. 



To-night while the shadows creep over the earth, 
I leave all my friends and their wild careless mirth ; 
My heart seems to melt, all the coldness has fled 
And I mourn lor my brother as one that is dead. 
Where are you, a stranger, a wanderer to-night ; 
The same sky above us, the same misty light. 
And wearily turning to look down life's track 
My sad heart is pleading, dear brother come back. 

Come back and these hands shall caress you once more? 
And whisper your name as 'twas whispered of yore ; 
Come lay your tired head on a loved sister's breast 
And say as you once said, 'tis here I find rest. 
Oh ! sadly you erred, and so deep was the crime. 
That you left far behind you your own native clime; 
But to-night, though ^^our feet chose a wild reckless 

track, 
My heart sadly pleads, erring brother come back. 



98 



Again and again did you turn to your God, 
And we hoped in the path of true manhood you trod ; 
But our hopes have been blighted and every bright thing 
In your nature seemed blasted and loosing its spring. 
The winter too early to storm clouds was given, 
And we feared every tie of our love would be riven, 
But to-night as I look at the past made so black, 
For you, I can murmer, dear wanderer come back. 

A stranger and lonely, a wanderer and sad. 
Oh ! who will be near you to whisper, " be glad." 
My brother, dear brother, come, come to me now. 
And the kiss of forgiveness shall rest on your brow ; 
My tears are fast falling, the coldness has fled, 
All bitterness leaves with these sad tears I shed ; 
None, none will be near you to point the bright track, 
My prayer is, my brother, dear brother come back. 

When last by your side in the proud flush oi youth, 
I thought your face lighted by candor and truth, 
Then soon came the news, that low leveled our pride, 
1 thought it were better for you, had you died. 
And oh ! when the shadows creep over us all, 
And I think you can never respond to my call. 
My eyes are so blind, that I lose life's strange track, 
And I'm bitterly sobbing, dear brother come back. 



99 



Our Anoel Dora. 



Dora's sleeping in the valley, 

Where the shadows softly creep, 
And the gently drooping willows 

Bending o'er her sadly weep. 
There the wildest winds seem sighing 

For our gentle little Hower, 
When her hopes on earth seemed brightest, 

Taken from us in an hour. 

Gentle Dora, angel Dora, 

Dwelling up in Heaven now ; 
Fairest of that happy number, 

Golden stars upon her brow. 
When "He maketh up His jewels" 

Surely Dora's Angel face 
'Mong that pure and sinless number 

Will be given the fairest place. 



100 

Though the casket slowly moulders 

III the valley's quiet shade, 
Dora's pure, untarnished spirit 

[N'ever in the dust was laid. 
We are happy now in thinking 

That our darling's angel face 
In the summer land, called Heaven, 

Now has won a sinless place. 

We are sad, how sad without her 

Passing through each silent room, 
Seeming in those few short hours 

Robbed of all their joy and bloom. 
In the garden, 'mong the flowers 

How we miss her lovely face, 
And our hearts grow sick and lonel}^ 

As we see each sunny plac€, 

Where our Dora's gentle presence 

Once had made it doubly fair ; 
But she roams among the flowers. 

In a garden over there, 
Dora sleeps within the valley. 

When the children come this way 
With their tender buds and blossoms. 

They will always cease their play. 



101 

Bending gently where she's sleeping, 

Tender, loving words are said ; 
And w^e know our darlins^'s blessino- 

Falls upon each little head. 
Gentle Dora, angel Dora, 

All too fair tor earth's dark night. 
Lovingly "Our Father" called her 

From the darkness into light. 



In IVIEN40RY OP" A KRIEND. 



Looking down the meadow path 

Fancy's pencil paints for me, 
Form so manly, face so fair, 

O ! how plainly I can see ; 
As with light and careless step. 

He has passed the grassy floor, 
And the bright face, wreathed in smiles 

See I, in the open door. 



102 

Xever up the meadow path 

Through the pleasant summer eve. 
When the harvest work is done, 

Garnered all the golden sheaves, 
Shall we see the manly form. 

Shall we see the sunlit face, 
And we'll miss our winsome friend 

In each dear accustomed place. 

Never down the meadow path 

When the evening sun has set. 
And npon the peaceful world, 

Gleams of brightness linger yet. 
Shall the rippling laughter sound, 

Shall the merry voice be heard ; 
It had music in its tone. 

Like the trill ot some sweet bird. 



Never in the open door, 

Shall we frame the sunny face ; 
Never from the manly brow, 

All the clouds of sadness chase. 
Never hear the tender voice 

Mingling tones of joy and mirth ; 
When he passed from us away. 

Much of brisrhtness left the earth. 



When life's summer work is o'er — 

Garnered all the golden sheaves, 
And we weave a glorious crown 

Out of autumn's sunset leaves. 
'Mong the happy scenes of Heaven 

Where there is no thought of pain ; 
We shall see the bright 3^oung face, 

We shall greet our friend again. 



Waitino Kor The Mornino. 



We are waiting lor the morning. 

Stranded on a rocky shore, 
Though we catch no gleam of brightness, 

And the billows wildly roar ; 
We are waiting for the morning 

When its light at last appears. 
We can make our way in safety, 

While our bark the danger clears. 



104 

We, are wailing tor the morning 

When at last it dawneth bright, 
We with well nnited efforts 

Will escape this ii^looniy ni^^ht ; 
And betore the shadows lengthen, 

And we hear the snllen roar 
Of the dark and stormy billows, 

We can reach a brighter shore. 

We are waiting tor the morning 

On a weary battle plain, 
When its beams upon us brighten, 

We can gather up the slain. 
In the darkness black and awtul 

We are kneeling sad and lone, 
Hearing o'er again the battle 

With its bitter dying moan. 

We are waiting for the morning. 

Then we make the soldiers grave 
Placing but the simple head board 

There to mark our noble brave : 
When we catch a gleam of morning, 

Then our task must be begun, 
And it all must be completed 

Ere the setting of the sun. 



lo; 



"We are waiting for the morning, 

In this earth so tull of night, 
Knowing that w^ithout its brightness 

We can never reach the light. 
Oh ! the dark and storm}- river, 

Lying ever just betore, 
We must cross before we're landed 

On the bright immortal shore. 



Workers ik the Kather's 
Harvest. 



Workers in the Father's harvest, 

Are we all ; 
Every one can hear His summons, 

Great and small. 
You among the reapers stand, 
Is your sickle in your hand ? 



m 



Now it] patience some are working 

Ever true ; 
To the Master's voice, so gentle, 

Calling you. 
Calling you as well as them, 
Saying, "every wrong condemn." 

Others stand with listless manner, 

Without care ; 
With their best impulses never 

Brought to bear, 
Oaring not whose is the loss 
So they do not bear the cross. 

Others too, their sickle, holding, 

In their hand. 
With a great pretence of labor, 

Idle stand ; 
But the Master sees us all, 
Watches over great and small. 

Yes, the Master's eye is on us. 

And His voice 
Soft and low, the fainting spirit 

Makes rejoice ; 
And his eye is never dim, 
Every deed is known to Him. 



107 

You are standing with the others, 

In youa place, 
Does your heart feel all his goodness 

And his grace ? 
Does His lamp of love grow dim? 
Are you ever lost from him? 

Do you keep each solemn promise 

That you ma vC ? 
Were the vows you calmly uttered 

Made to hreak ? 
Looking o'er the path you've trod 
Were you working for your God? 

Ask yourself this question some times. 

As you stand. 
"Were the vows my lips have uttered 

Wrote in sand ? 
Have I ever led from truth 
Pure and trusting hearts in youth ? " 

Ask yourself, and well remember, 

Every word ; 
If some heart so pure and gentle 

Has been stirred ; 
Did you point the path they trod ? 
Ask yourself and ask your God. 



08 



Have you ever calmly uttered 

Words yoLi knew, 
When they fell so plain and candid, 

Were untrue ? 
Oh, there is a heart you grieve 
Which you never can deceive. 



KOROIVK 



Art thou weary ? Oh ! how weary ? 

Is this life a burden dreary ? 
Dost thou feel the weight oppressing. 

So devoid of any blessing? 
Does the world combine to harm thee ? 

Is there nothing left to charm thee? 
'' Oh, forgive," 'tis said in heaven. 

If thou e'er would'st be forgiven. 



109 



Art thou tired and so lonely ! 

Can'st thou see that sorrow only 
Is thy lot and portion ever? 

That the beautiful forever 
Shines not out to gladly greet thee, 

That earth's pleasures cannot meet thee? 
Though by cruel hands are riven 

Every tie, oh, say " forgiven." 

Dost thou mourn beside the portal 

Of the glorious immortal ? 
That the gate may open, praying, 

And in disappointment saying: 
" Lord admit my weary spirit, 

That I may thy home inherit ; 
Take me, take me where the weary 

Lose their burden dark and dreary.'^ 

Is thy heart so full of pity, 

That the gate of that bright city 
Will be open to receive thee, 

And of every care releive thee ? 
Wrongs and crime that make thee saddest, 

When forgiven, make thee gladdest, 
" Oh, forgive," 'tis sad in Heaven, 

" If thou e'er would'st be forgiven. 



110 



Honor thk Work that 
You Do. 



'Tis not the profession you choose in the world, 
That makes yon both famous and grand ; 

'Tis the way you go at it, the way you succeed, 
That is heralded far o'er the land. 

'Tis not by confirming to this church or tliat, 
Which makes you a christian at heart ; 

'Tis the life that you lead, and the way you succeed, 
From temptation and sin to depart. 

The weakest of all of God's creatures below. 

Can honor the work that they do ; 
The soul that i^ given will show you the way. 

If you strive to be honest and true. 

Ko matter how high on the ladder of fame 

Or glory, your brother may be ; 
He lifts himself higher by lifting you up. 

He sinks, if he turns from your plea. 



Ill 



It matters not even how far you may be, 
From your standard of honor and right ; 

You surely will reach it, by striving to walk 
In the path that the Savionr made bright. 

By striving to honor the work that yon do, 

And lifting still higher your soul ; 
By never degrading that God given power. 

Of reaching some bright lar-otf goal. 

There's work here for all, though we faint by the 
way, 

The great harvest field must be tilled ; 
While one hand is idle, some part of the work 

Of the Master, remains unfulfilled. 

Is it yours that lies barren, untouched by the 
plough, 

That the Lord of the harvest must see? 
While others around you are covered with grain, 

Waving now like a bright golden sea. 

O, weak, idling ones, in the harvest of life, 

Wait not, there is work to be done ; 
There's glory, and greatness, and honor to gain. 

And laurels so bright to be won. 



112 



Partkd. 



Carefully, tenderly lay her to rest, 

Where the white lillies will bloom o'er her breast, 

Telling her purity, telling her truth ; 

Emblem to all of her untainted youth. 

Brush from her forehead the light sunny hair, 
Fold the white hands o'er the bosom so fair; 
Close the bright eyes, all the life-light has fled 
From the dear face of our beautiful dead. 

Then leave us alone, all alone by her side, 

Too early we missed her, too early she died; 

Oh ! darling, our darling, wake from your long sleep, 

With hearts that are breaking our vigil we keep. 

She heeds not, she hears not our agonized cry ; 
Oh, why must the pure and beautiful die ? 
Where are you, our darling, our idolized one ? 
'Tis vain now to say, " His will ever be done." 



113 



But when we are weary with watching and pain, 
•Oh ! will you, our loved one, be with us again ? 
Will you brush from our foreheads all traces of care ? 
And whisper, dear earth friends, I'll wait for you 
there. 

Your form at the table we ever shall miss, 
And often we'll wait for your fond goodnight kiss ; 
In dream-land we'll see you again in your place. 
With the sunshine of love playing over your face. 

But oh ! we shall mourn as in sadness we wait, 
'Till death for us opens the beautiful gate. 
That leads to the home which is waiting for all. 
When Jesus, our brother, so kindly shall call. 

Then tenderly lay the tired body to rest. 

Where the white lillies will bloom o'er her breast. 

Emblem to all that her spirit has flown 

To that land of bright gladness, her beautiful home. 



114 



COIVIK Up HIGHKR. 



Come lip higher, all ye lowly, 
Come up near the angels holy. 
Bring your burdens and your crosses, 
All your weary doubts and losses, 
Lay them at the Master's feet 

Come up higher, friends and stranger. 
Here there is no sign of danger, 
And the voice of love entreats you, 
Come up where the Saviour greets you ; 
Come up to His pastures sweet. 

Here are streams of watei' living ; 
Peace and comfort they are giving; 
Here are pastures where the spirit. 
Purest pleasure will inherit ; 

Finding rest these banks beside.. 



115 

Where the heart so worn and weary 
Lays aclown it& burden dreary, 
Resting in the sweet assurance, 
That the hours of meek endurance — 
Left their spirits purified. 

•Come up higher, come up higher. 
Through afiiictions hottest fire. 
Through the storm of life's great battle, 
•Cannons roar, and bullets rattle ; 

Come up where 'tis bright and fair. 

Oh, ye Christians, worn and weary, 
With life's battle field so dreary, 
Raise to Heaven your darkened vision. 
Look upon these fields Ely si an. 
In the hob/ time of prayer. 



IK) 



Thk JVLaniac's Dkatm. 



The stream is dark, I dare not cross, 

And the waters are madly flowing. 

And they do not answer my frenzied call, 

Oh ! tell me where are you going? 

See it dance and whirl as it parses by, 

Oh ! madly flowing river — 

One moment pause in your headlong course- 

And my soul's sweet peace deliver! 

For you hold it now in your waters dark,. 
And clasp in your black arms nearer. 
The treasured hopes of by-gone years, 
Which grew with years still dearer, 
And a thousand devils urge me on. 
To cross the foaming water, 
Their eyes aglow with the light of hell. 
And their hands all red with slaughter.. 



117 



Go back! go back ! let me cross in peace, 

For lo! the morn is breaking, 

And its seat, the glorious " King of day," 

In the rosy east is taking. 

But no ! for again 'tis dark as night 

And the shrieks of the beings evil, 

Still sound like the trumpeted call of death 

Or of demons in midnight revel. 

I'm going now, wliile there's not a sound 

Save the wail of the passing river ; 

I'll pray, as I enter the midnight stream, 

" Oh Lord ! my soul deliver." 

I'll pray, and I have not prayed before 

Since beside my mother kneeling, 

I offered m}^ simple childlike prayer. 

So full of childish feeling. 

And see ! the demons cannot come ; 
And the waves that are o'er me Howing, 
Have cooled the fever, and tilled my heart 
With a blessed peace in going. 
And all about me are shining ones; 
And truly the morn in breaking, 
And its seat, the glorious " King of Day " 
In the rosy east is taki!ig. 



118 



Retrospection. 



What have I done in the clay that's past ? 

Whisper it gently, angels of love ; 
What have I done that will mar the page, 

Which tells of my life in the book above? 

Say, is the heart which at morn you saw 
Pure as it was in the dawnings light ? 

Have I given cause for smiles or tears ? 
Answer me, beautiful watchers, to-night. 

What is the record yon bear away 

Up to His many mansions fair? 
Would all the acts I've committed, meet 

The loving Father's approval there ? 

Oh ! tender guides from that world of love, 

Better than all the world beside, 
You know of the struggles, the joys and fears. 

The hopes that blossomed, the hopes that died, 



119 



Tempted and tried, and overcome, 

Faltering sometimes e'er I saw the light ; 

Hoping and fearing, yet trusting him, 
How plain I can see it all over to-night. 

What have I done in the years that's past? 

Or what will I do in the years to come? 
Which will cause the Master to smile and say 

"Thy work is finished, find rest and home." 



JAIVLIE LOVES PvlK. 



Breathe it gently, oh, ye zephyrs! 

Breath it gently as ye pass ; 
Sing it softly to the branches 

And the lightly waving grass. 
Breath it softly, Jamie loves me, 

And last night he told me so. 
Oh my heart is wildly beating 

And with joy is all aglow. 



120 

Breathe it sol'tly, gentle south wind, 
Tell it to the flowers sweet 

As you bend the grasses growing- 
All about their dewy feet. 

Tell them softly, Jamie loves me 

That my hopes have bloomed at last, 

Hopes that nestling in my bosom ; 
Only budded in the past. 

Breathe it gently, evening breezes, 

Bear it on your wings so light ; 
Tell the little birds the story 

That was told to me last night. 
Bid them softly to repeat it, 

Jamie loves me ! and the bliss 
Of the thought my heart is thrilling, 

Like his loving good night kiss. 

Jamie loves me ! nature aid me, 

Tell my happiness to-night ; 
Birds and breeze^, flowers and branches. 

Fill the song with glad delight. 
Jamie loves me ! all is sunshine. 

All the world is good and true ! 
Jamie loves me ! and sweet song birds 

Sing the rest — I love him too ! 



121 



Kai rH 



Lord ! into the darkness and muricy gloom 

Of Thy vast researches mighty and grand, 
From the silent depths of the rayless tomb 

To the gates ot a glorious, eternal land ; 
I have wandered, groping ray lonely way, 

Calling alond on Thy glorified name, 
Seeking in vain for the sunlight of day. 

Wondering whither the answerings came — 
" Child, I am leading thee, be not disma^^ed, 

Leading thee heavenward, be not afraid! 

Lord I into the shadows of doubt and pain. 

Stumbling oft in ni}^ wayward track. 
Turning to list to Thy voice again, 

As tenderly, sweetly, it called me back : 
Long have I roamed, and rudely been tossed 

Like a light bark on a rough rolling tide. 
Fearing sometimes that I truly was lost. 

Bufiteting wildly from side t > side. 
Still, sweetly speaking, " Oh I be not dismayed, 

Child, I am leading thee, be not afraid ! " 



122 



Lord ! into the whirlpool of grief and despair, 

Clinging to hope with a fast slipping hand, 
Through the dark clouds see the light burnin| 
there, 

Talisman bright of a happier land. 
Firm on the Eock of my faith evermore, 

Standing securely, I fear not the blast ; 
'Tis but a step to the heavenly shore, 

And I will cross when life's journey is past — 
" Child, I am near thee. Oh ! be not dismayed ; 
Leading thee Heavenward — be not afraid ! 



Good Nioht, Nell— ano 
Good=Bye !" 



I (lid not understand him. 

And when he went away 
In such a furious passion, 

I thought he would not stay. 
He will be back to-morrow 

And ask me with a sigh 
To forget he said so coldly, 

"Good night, Nell, and good-bye,'^ 



123 

The morrow came and vanished, 

The next day did the same ; 
And still he never came to say 

''NeW, I was all to blame." 
I bit my lips and shook my head, 

Indeed I would not cr}^. 
But I couldn't help remembering. 

The way he said "good-bye." 

I stood beside the window. 

And watched the long dull street, 
And listened to the hurry 

Of all the passing feet ; 
And when I got so tired 

Of that, I watched the sky, 
But sometliing seemed to whisper 

"Good night, I^ell, and good-bye." 

I cannot half remember, 

What made me joke him so; 
I know that once he whispered 

My name so soft and low. 
And then I said, "1 love you. 

But fifty men as well." 
The reason of my actions ? " 

Do you think I'm going to tell ?" 



124 

And when he rose so quickly 

And looked me in the face, 
I said, "tor stage rehearsals 

Please take another place." 
I wish I had nc)t said it, 

I know I'm going to cry ; 
I wonder it he meant it 

"Good night, I^ell, and good-bye," 

I know that he will never 

Come back to me again, 
Oh dear, my heart is breaking 

With this great sudden pain 
Hark, hark ! I know his footstep, 

I'm glad I didn't cry. 
He's sorry that he told me 

"Good night, Nell, and good-bye."' 



125 



IVIY Darling's Grave. 



'Tis only a little tear-wet mound ! 

Away from the city's tiresome sound, 

A little mound in a lonely spot, 

By the world at large 'tis soon forgot ; 

But oh 1 it forms^the largest part 

In the aching depths of a mother's heart. 

'Tis only a little tear-wet mound ! 
But to me t'is sacred, holy ground ; 
For the little lips that I used to press, 
And the little head that I used to bless, 
Lies under the silent tear- wet sod. 
It is sanctilied by Almighty God. 

We have scattered o'er it lovliest flowers. 
But they fade and die in a few short hours. 
They are fragrant now, as the breath of June, 
But their gentle fragrance dies too soon. 
Alas, alas ! is there naught to leave 
That tells how a mother's heart must grieve ! 



126 



'Tis only a little tear-wet mound, 

And the wind is passing with sobbing sound, 

And echoing the cry of a broken heart 

While the silent shadows softly part; 

My life is robed in a wintry pall, 

While my tears like the rain drops swiftly fall. 

There is no life, no hope for me, 

I cannot look at God's mystery ; 

'Tis a strange, hard path, but perhaps the best, 

For it leads some day to '^Menial Best." 

This little grave claims the largest part 

In the aching depths of a mother's heart. 



StiALIv WK BK AKRAID. 



Shall we be afraid ? Brothers shall we tarry ? 

When the call of duty bids us fight the wrong ; 
Shall we be afraid to enter the dark waters, 

And battle with the current, however rough or strong? 



127 



How the black waves clash against the shore so rocky, 
How the night winds wail like mournings for the 
dead ! 

And the pale night shows iis many struggling victims, 
While the angry waters break above their heads. 

On the very brink of this most fateful river, 
Stands the blinded victims of the siren, wine; 

Lo I she leads them on, heeding not our voices, 
And they follow after, at her slightest sign. 

Hark ! their mad'ning shriek, quickly now she stifles ; 

Must we stand alone, on the very strand. 
And not lend our lives to the work of brino-ino- 

Some poor, wretched wanderer quickly back to land. 

Shall we be afraid ? Brothers, sisters, hear me ! 

Xearer to the stream, even to the brink, 
Kneeling humbly down, reach your hand toward them, 

Save some struggling soul, whose greatest curse is 
drink. 

See the hand upraised, take it quickly, brother; 

Do not be afraid j-our spotless robe to soil. 
Every spot shall glisten with a wonderous beauty, 

'Tis the pearl the diver receiveth for his toil. 



128 

Look at that jouog soul, even now a vision 

Of HIS mother's face would quickly draw him back ; 

Brothers, sisters, listen ! You can surely save him, 
See his feet are moving on the downward track ! 

Quick ! before the siren weaves her cords about him ! 

Quick! before she plunges that youthful soul in crime ; 
Win him to you gently, break the spell of evil ; 

You can cure his spirit with the " healer, time." 



Shall we be afraid ? Brothers, shall w^e tarry 
When the call of duty bids us fight the wrong ! 

Shall we be afraid to enter the dark waters. 

And battle with the current, however rough or strong. 



129 



KOBODY Kissed IVLe Oooe) 

NlOHX. 



Kneeling alone in the stillness, 
Down by the white covered bed, 
Softly the teardrops were falling. 
Bowed was my young tired head. 
Stealing so soft through the chamber 
The moon with its mystical light, 
The words kept so silently coming — 
Nobody kissed me good night. 

Home with its gentle caresses, 
Loved ones with faces so true. 
Oh ! I can see them so plainly ; 
Dear ones, I am praying for you. 
Here the soft good night so loving. 
And the bright smile to my sight. 
Would be a blessing. Ah, sadly 
I wait for the loving good night. 



130 

Love, what a charm you have given 
To this strange pathway of ours, 
You have adorned it so brightly. 
With your most beautilul flowers. 
And, in the silence, while kneeling 
Here, in this soft, changing light. 
How can I help but remember, 
I^obody kissed me good night ? 

But there's a thought that will cheer me,. 
And I am glad when I say. 
Some one will miss me a little, 
Some one will earnestly pray. 
Maybe that some one is thinking 
Ot me 'neath this soft, fading light. 
And wonders, so silently dreaming. 
If somebody kissed me good night. 

And in the dear little circle. 

Gathered so happily there. 

They will be thinking and wondering, 

O ! It looks peaceful and fair — 

And when they kiss all the others. 

They'll wait e'er they put ont the light. 

And softly will say to each other, 

" I wonder who kissed her good night." 



131 



Well, well, heart of mine, are you foolish 

To linger so long o'er a kiss ? 

You have grown so used to its sweetness, 

No wonder its sunshine you miss. 

O ! how many are wretchedly starving 

For the love of a heart true and bright ! 

I'll not mourn, for I know there are dear ones 

Who would eagerly kiss me good night. 



A NlKMORY. 



'Two little girls, with faces bright. 

Went out in the field one frosty morn. 
Wrapped in their jackets warm and snug, 

To help dear father husk the corn. 
Merry their laugh, and gay their talk, 

While the eldest said in happy glee, 
"Lucy and I will take one row, 

And you, dear papa, must carry three." 



132 



Into the wagon the ripe ears fell, 

And the father whistled a pleasant tune, 
And the little ones worked with a ready will. 

From the early morn, till the call at noon. 
Then home they rode, on the heaped up load, 

Filled with a joy, to them, sublime, 
For was not the money they earned, to go 

For the father and mother, at Christmas time ? 

And they whispered the secret, soft and low 

Of the wondertui gifts their hands should earn. 
And day after day in the frosty fields 

A lesson of love their young hearts learn. 
"Papa and mamma will never guess 

What we will do with our money, dear. 
And we'll give it to Grandma to keep," said one, 

"Till the beautiful Christmas time is near.'' 

And never mind if the frost is cold, 
That lies so thick on the fields of corn. 

We'll forget there ever was frost or snow 

When we bring our gifts on the Christmas morn.' 

:^ ^\^ :i,i >'f >1; >1< ;[< >|i ^|i ^i ^1^ ^K >i^ >I^ >ic * 

In the quiet peace of the dear old farm, 

The fafiier and mother still remain. 
But the daughters find in another field 

The work for their hands, be it joy or pain. 



138 



And they smile as they think of the frosty fields. 

And the two little girls in the earl}^ morn, 
Eiding away with such happy hearts 

To help the dear father husk the corn. 
But they do not smile, as they think again 

Of their little offerings, laid away, 
With such tender care in the dear old home. 

By the father and mother, now growing grey. 



SHALI. WK IVIEET THKM 



Shall we meet them, you and I, 

In the glorious by and by ? 
In those realms where endless happiness is known^ 

Shall we greet each smiling face ? 

In the dear accustomed place. 
Murmuring low the tender names of days agone» 

. Shall we hear the voice of love, 

In the Eden land above ? 
Shall our lips their tender loving words repeat ? 

Shall our hands clasp closer still ? 

While our hearts with rapture thrill, 
And w^e lay our every burden at His feet. 



134 



He, the crowning one of all, 

Blessed Saviour at thy call 
How Thy children hasten up the shining strand. 

As we lay our burdens down, 

Lo ! He reaches forth the crown. 
And His smiles make glad the bright eternal land. 

Shall we know each other there? 

Where the white robed angels fair, 
Bring their records daily trom this world of pain ? 

While the shadows fade away, 

And the dawn becomes the day. 
And the love of Christ has wiped away each stain. 



WHAT Is LIKK. 



What is life ? the question ever 
Fills with busy thoughts my brain : 
And with strange perplexing fancies, 
Oft I turn it o'er again. 
Life is filled with bitter sorrow. 
Seldom rays of light are given, 
And the path that seems the hardest 
Is the one that leads to Heaven. 



135 

Life for some is full of gladness, 
Bright the golden sun doth shine, 
While a dark and bitter portion 
Fortune's hands to some assign. 
Some go through the world enveloped 
In a cloud of darkest gloom. 
While for others lovely flowers 
In their sweetness ever bloom. 

When the golden clouds of evening 
Seem like curtains partly drawn, 
O'er my spirit, tired and lonely. 
Pure and glorious visions dawn : 
And I catch a glimpse of Heaven, 
For the gate is lett ajar : 
Nothing in that land of sunlight 
Can its peaceful quiet mar. 

When the clouds have gently drifted 
Closing up the little space. 
What is life? again I question, 
What is life, and where my place ? 
Have I not a field of labor? 
Have I not a task to do ? 
Yes, I know the father sayeth 
"There is work awaiting you." 



136 

Life is filled with bitter sorrow, 
Rough and rugged to our feet 
Is the path that leads to duty, 
And so much of woe we meet. 
Life has many clouds of trouble, 
Seldom rays of light are given. 
And the path that seems the hardest 
Is the one that leads to Heaven. 



Thk littIvK Dress. 



'Tis nothing but a baby's dress, 

A dainty little thing, 
Why to my heart such memories 

Of sadness does it bring? 
The rufties on the little skirt. 

The ribbons on the sleeves. 
How precious to a mother's heart, 

How deeply will she grieve. 



137 

The little form it used to liold, 

Oh ! tell me where is she ? 
I could have laid her 'neath the mould, j 

And done it willingly. 
But eighteen years have passed away, 

Since in this little dress 
She smiled into my happy face, 

My darling, baby Bess. 

'No I Bessie is not dead, but, Oh ! 

I could have seen her die ; 
I could hav^e kissed the sweet young face 

And said the last "good bye." 
But this is even worse than death, 

This story full of sin. 
My darling is an outcast now, 

Another Magdalene. 

'Tis nothing but a little dress. 

Of purest softest white, 
Oh, God I If Bessie were as pure 

And free from sin to-night, 
How gladly would I give her up. 

Nor sadly would I grieve, 
Over the little rutHed skirt, 

The ribbons on the sleeve. 



138 



KoR What Ark You 
Waixino. 



For what are you waiting, my brother ? 
As you journey through life's vale of tears,. 
You are wasting the glorious sunshine, 
In youth it most brightly appears ; 
! why stand you idle and waiting? 
Your hands have a work to perform. 
The Master will come, are you ready. 
And sheltered from every rude storm ? 

For what are you waiting, my sister? 
The journey is toilsome and long. 
What have you accomplished to brighten 
The path for the numberless throng. 
All of them your brothers and sisters, 
And heirs to their six feet of sod ; 
All erring and wandering and failing 
Yet journeying onward to God. 



139 



For what are you waiting, my sister? 

The great things in life may not be 

The star that so brightly shall glisten 

For you o'er the mystical sea. 

There are deeds to be done without waiting 

Each day in the journey of life, 

And the heart that looks after the small things 

Is the one that aids most in the stnfe. 

For what are you waiting, my sister? 
The morning to you dawneth bright ; 
O I work while the day is before you, 
You soon may be buried in night. 
Eeach out to the fallen and fainting 
A hand ever ready to aid, 
8peek softly and cheeringly to them 
But never in coldness upbraid. 

For what are you waiting, my brother ? 
I see you are waiting in vain. 
While others are working in patience 
And reaping and binding the grain. 
O ! when it is gathered, and empty 
You stand by the wide open gate. 
While others are carrying the bundles 
You will murmur, " ! why did I wait ? 



MO 



For the Father keeps watch o'er His children 
And he knows who have brought in the grain^ 
His voice will be sad when he tells you 
" I fear you have waited in vain." 
O ! go while the harvest is ready 
And work with a hearty good will ; 
The eyes of companions are on you, 
Why alone are you idle and still ? 



For what are yon waiting, my brother ? 
He who would be first in his place. 
And join in the soug of the workers, 
Drinks deep at the fountain of grace. 
Go aid in the work that's before you. 
Perchance you'll be hindred by rain. 
Lest when by the gate He will tell you, 
'' I fear you have waited in vain," 



141 

This Is Like. 



This is lite? Oh I heart, revealing 
Every true and tender feeling : 

'Tis to climb, with tireless feet, 

Through the cold and through the heat, 
Up progression's slippery hill. 
Higher, higher, higher still. 

'Tis to lead an erring brother 
With yon on your glorious way, 

Learning each to love the other, 
And to hail the coming day. 

'Tis to raise the fallen np, 

'Tis to empty misery's cup ! 
'Tis to clasp the hand of woe, 

As we journey here below. 
What is life? oh ! friend and brother, 
'Tis to love — and help each other ! 



Naoma. 

Oh, call me not Kaoma, 

The Lord, His hand hath laid, 
In chastening sore upon me. 

My spirit is dismayed. 
I went out in the morning. 

With footsteps glad and gay — 
I came back in the evening, 

It is a weary way. 



142 

I went oat when the dew drops 

Lay thick ii[)Oii the lea, 
I came back in the darkness, 

The Lord has sent to me. 
My hands were Inll at morning, 

No cloud could I discern — 
Then call me not IS'aoma, 

All empty I return. 

Beyond the clouds thick curtain, 

Beyond the starless night, 
O God ! I pray thy blessing, 

Upon a morning bright. 
When to the glorious dawning 

A brighter joy w\\\ come, 
Because I crossed the valley 

Upon my journey home. 

Then call me not Naoma, 

Till at the o:ates I stand, 
The cloudless, star gemmed curtain, 

Swept by an angel's hand — 
Until among tlie brightness 

Of that angelie host. 
The Lord lills up the measure. 

That here to me is lost. 



U3 



A PLEA For thk Errino. 



AUis the painfal words are said ; 
Another heart has deeply bled — 
Another soul has lost its star ; 
We see it glimmering afar. 
Who here have chosen Christ their guide, 
Go quickly to your sisters side ! 
Show her the star fast growing dim ; 
Tell lier she yet is dear to Him. 



Yes ! God is love, and tell her now 
That on her pale and throbbing brow 
His hands of love, will fondly rest 
Pity and mercy fill His breast, 
Xot only for the wanderer dear, 
But for the one who brought her here. 
Oh! cruel, cruel world; the blame 
Rests only on the maidens name. 



144 

Turn ye who boast a Savior's love 

And an eternal Home above 

And read His word, obey His call 

Go to the erring when they fall ! 

Go to this crushed and wounded heart! 

And quick a soothing balm impart. 

Nor cover up the name of him 

Who made her earthly star grow dim. 

God pity him, liis soul must bear 

A bitter load ot pain and care, 

He almost see's the angel band 

Who 'round that drooping ligure stand. 

He almost hears each voice upbraid 

Betrayed ! betrayed ! a trust betrayed. 

Oh ! world have mercy, Heaven will show 

More pity, let the culprit go. 

Your cruel taunts, and heartless jeers 
Say ! will they dry her bitter tears ? 
Have you, your Savior's call obeyed ? 
You may be in the balance weighed. 
Ah ! she was tempted and she fell, 
Make not this earth to her a hell ; 
God knows she has enough to bear 
Without this added load of care. 



145 

Speak softly ! nor in scornful pride 
Look on the heart so sorely tried, 
Remember that we all have erred 
By deed, by action and by word. 
Had we been tempted, God alone 
The triumph, or the fall had known, 
Speak softly ! both have gone astray 
Go ! help them both to find the way. 



Hk Never lead You Wrono. 



The pathwa}^ may not seem so bright, 

The morning not so clear. 
The goal that seemed almost in sight, 

May not be quite so near ; 
But let content and gladness be 

The burden of your song, 
Remember dear one, trom the first, 

He never led you wrong ! 



The evening shades may gather deep, 

While yet it seemeth noon; 
Our hearts are yo a ng and brave as yet, 

They're growing old too soon. 
Remember that the hardest lot, 

Its sunshine brings along. 
You're trusting to a mighty arm. 

That never led you wrong. 

Life's disappointments come apace, 

Dark clouds, with sun behind, 
How many times the deepest gloom 

We learn is '^ silver lined." 
Still let content and gladness be 

The burden of your song ! 
Remember dear one from the first 

He never led you wrong. 



147 



The Vkil Thrown Asidh. 



Among that gay and festive throng 

I wandered idly dreaming, 
Who 'mong that fair and laughing band, 

Like me were only seeming ? 
My laugh rang out so light and free, 

Yet all w^as mockery to me. 

I heard the voices of my friends, 

And saw their sunny faces, 
I could not look into each heart, 

With its bewildering mazes. 
The painful throb I could not bear 
Xor count each burning, unshed tear. 

Alas I alas ! how many times 

We cover up our sorrow 
And from the glittering cloak of pride 

Our strength we often borrow. 
But when alone, before our God, 
•Our hearts rebel as^ainst the rod. 



148 

How oft the burning tear is checked 

To hide its lingering traces ; 
I^ot oft the grief of youthful hearts. 

Is seen upon their faces. 
Ah ! hearts may bleed, long e'er they break. 
And lips refuse the cup to take. 

The bitterest sorrow of our lives 

Is often borne unaided, 
The hopes that bright at morning bloom. 

Are oft by evening faded. 
Over our hearts a cloak we wear, 

Lest some may see the canker there. 

Oh ! is there not a land of light, 

Where life has more than dreaming ? 

Where sorrow never blights our youth. 
And pleasure is not seeming ? 

Where perfect peace to all is given, 

Oh ! is there mockery in heaven? 



M9 



Woodland Kanciks, 



I wandered off 'mong the fields to-day 

And the trees so golden brown, 
To wateh the fluttering, flying leaves 

And the walnuts tumbling down. 
I wanted to dream awhile, sweet friend, 

And to wave a garland bright, 
From the fancy flowers that fill my hearty 

To place on your brow to-night. 

For twenty summers have quickly flown, 

In peace o'er your happy head ; 
^o longer a careless, merry girl, 

But a woman, "Sweet May," instead, 
I it seems so strange that as children now 

Together we ne're shall roam : 
That another hath called my sunny friend 

Away from her childhood's home. 



150 



O ! it seems so strange that the happy past 

Has vanished tor e'er and aye ; 
That my little mate has in truth become 

A woman in one short day ! 
They will miss you in the household now, 

At the sunny hour of noon : 
There'll be something beautiful gone from life, 

Like the roses out of June, 

And at morn and even with saddened hearts 

They'll offer an earnest prayer. 
But one bright link in the chain of love 

Will never again be there. 
As I look at the years which our careless feet 

Together have roamed away 
When we lovingly bent o'er the self-same book, 

Or bounded away in play. 

I can scarce believe that these golden leaves 

And the beautiful woods so bright. 
Are heralding in your twentieth year, 

And, dear friend, your wedding night ! 
But the gentle angels will surely bend. 

In blessing above your head ; 
They come so near to this earth of ours, 

That we almost hear their tread. 



151 



And ever while toiling np life's steep hill, 

Through its sunshine or its rain, 
May the heart yoa have chosen be firm and strong 

To bear all its grief and pain ! 
And in helping each other go on dear friends 

To the river so still and dread, 
Unheeding the sneers of a pityless world, 

Be ever by charity led. 

And while you are bearing each burden and cross, 

! keep your heart pure and as sweet 
As when we wandered so far away, 

With the dust on our tired feet : 
And sinking down 'mong the golden leaves,. 

To rest from our busy play, 
We watched the silent shadows come, 

While the sunshine died away. 

O ! keep the heart of a trusting child, 

And together go, hand in hand ! 
Uemember that half the clouds we meet 

We beckon from shadow land. 
And Heaven's blessing go with you both 

To the close of this earthly life ! 
May its richest blessing crown the hour 

That made you "man and wife !" 



152 

And tell me, how could I help but dream 

From the fancies that seem so bright, 
And wave a garUnd of flowers to place 

On the brow of my friend to-night ? 
-So I wandered off 'mong the fields to-day, 

And the woods so golden brown ; 
To watch the finttering, flying leaves, 

And the walnuts tumbling down. 



BONDAGE. 



'Tis a beautiful place — I know. 
Its gildings are flnest gold — 

'Tis the workmanship of a master hand, 
And his grandest work I'm told ! 

A gilded palace of wealth and fame ! 
A prison, called by another name ! 

■^'Your beautiful home," they say. 

And they utter the words with bliss, 

Ah ! little they know of the restless soul 
That must soon be caged in this ; 

And they never see a lingering trace 
Of secret pain on the quiet face. 



153 

I've turned with a cry of pain ; 

I've uttered mau}^ a prayer ; 
I've drank of pleasure's festal cup, 

And mingled with despair; 
But my soul is filled with a constant fear, 

And the jailor's voice through all I hear. 

And I fain would turn and fly 

To the farthest bound of earth ; 
I fain would utter a prayer to die 

And curse my wretched birth ! 
But a gilded chain still holds me back, 

And binds my soul to a cruel rack. 

And I fain would turn and fly 

To the farthest bound of earth ; 
I fain would utter a prayer to die 

And curse my wretched birth ! 
But a gilded chain still holds me back, 

And binds my soul to a cruel rack. 

I shall be like a prisoned bird — 

A bird of the greenwood tree ! 
Flittering among the singing birds 

Who will never care for me. 
They will mock at my simple little song, 

And my poor brown coat as I join the throng. 



154 



"To The cottaqe sabbath school.. 



In the pleasant Forest City, 

Where the sound of busy feet, 
Hurrying on their various missions, 

Echoes through the bustling street, 
Is a quiet place of worship 

Where the cired soul can find 
Priceless gems, with costly settings, 

Jewels to adorn the mind. 



See the happy sunshine gather 

O'er the Superintendent's face. 
As by loving, childish voices 

He is welcomed to his place. 
One among that band of teachers, 

Seems to hold the golden key 
Of the kingdom, as she whispers 

Jesus' message, " come to me." 



155 

Eager rows of smiling faces 

Raised lo meet their pastor's eyes 
As he tells them of the glory 

Waiting them beyond the skies. 
When his kind hand gently lingers, 

On some sunny little head. 
Angels bear with them the blessing, 

Which his loving lips have said. 

See each head in reverence bending. 

As their pastor kneels to pray 
For his Saviour's lambs, the children. 

Types of innocence are they. 
Is'ow his voice is gently pleading 

For one absent from their band. 
One who in an hour of trouble 

They had taken by the hand. 



Oh ! how gentle are his accents ! 

" Lead her, Father, in Thy way. 
Place Thy loving arms about her. 

Give her peace and strength each day, 
Guard her tenderly, dear Father, 

Fill with happiness her youth. 
May she be the means of guiding 

Many others to the truth." 



156 

Then his face, by love illumined, 

Seemed a mirror of his heart. 
For true prayer and noble greatness 

Kever, never walk apart. 
Teachers, scholars, all uniting, 

Lifting up their hearts to God, 
Keep them from the paths of danger 

That Thy sinful ones have trod. 

Lead them. Father, to Thy mansions. 

Bright, and fair, and ever blest, 
Where no sorrow ever cometh. 

And " the weary ones have rest." 
Tis the prayer of one who ever 

Prays for that dear " cottage band,' 
They, who in an hour of trouble 

Took her gently by the hand. 



157 



Prayhr 



Father thou, whose name is love, 
From the heavenly courts above, 
From the glory and the bliss 
OF a fairer world than this. 
Look thou down upon each heart. 
Wipe the tears that quickly start, 
Guide us through each fleeting day, 
Father hear r.s while we praj^ 

Night is coming on dear Lord, 
Yet we lean upon thy word. 
Still we clasp the Master's hand, 
Thou alone canst understand, 
When we err and blindly fall. 
Then we hear thy gentle call, 
Backward from the cloudy night, 
Come my child into the light. 



158 

Father when we see each star, 
Gliding from us tast and far. 
When earth's love has useless proved 
And all brightness is removed, 
When the peaceful light of day 
Seemingly has passed away, 
Rudely tossed upon lifes sea, 
Father, then we turn to Thee. 

Lift us higher, higher still, 
Bend our spirits to thy will. 
Help us, help each other Lord, 
By each look, and deed, and word. 
Hear us while we bow the knee. 
With a childish faith to Thee, 
Guide us through each passing day, 
Father hear us while we pray. 



159 



A Kancv 



The years may come, and the years may go 
E'er we meet again— it is better so. 
Changes will come— I shall be a bride, 
And proudly stand at another's side ; 
I shall hear a voice that is soft and low ; 
I shall love to list to that voice I know ; 
And the past— the past ! is it past to me, 
Or a type of the time that is yet to be ? 



We parted calmly, 'twas not in tears. 
And I bid farewell to the ghost of years. 
I think I smiled as I said "good by ;" 
I think it was uttered without a sigh. 
But many eyes were upon my face ; — 
Do you think I would show a lingering trace 
Of the silent past? Dear heart, farewell, 
Oh ! the tuture of either we cannot tell. 



160 



The years may come, and the years may go 
E'er we meet again — it is better so. 
And yet while my lips with smiles are wreathed- 
While holy vows are by proud lips breathed — 
I think that a phantom will glide between, 
By all the others unheard, unseen, 
For I know the past is not dead to me ; 
I think that it never can buried be. 



But when the future has smiled on you. 
Will memories sweet ever come in view^ ? 
Will you ever turn to these by gone years ; 
To my girlish laughter, my girlish tears ; 
To the vows half uttered, the thought of pain 
That came in the parting words again ? 
The years may come, and the years may go 
E'er we meet again — it is better so. 

For changes come, as the years go on, 

And bridal vestments I soon shall don. 

Your place will be in another spot, 

But the happy past cannot be forgot. 

And we both shall smile, and we boih shall sigh 

As the changeful years glide swiftly by. 

The years may come, and the years may go, 

We may never meet — it is better so. 



1()1 



To BERTTIK C 



I lay dreaming io the shadows, 

HeediDg not the flit of time, 
Pondering o'er this little story, 

I will tell it you in rhyme. 
Years ago, dear little Bertie, 

In a city bright and fair. 
Dwelt a pure and lovely maiden, 

Blue her eyes and gold her hair. 

All about her pathway, Bertie, 

Grew the sweetest flow^ers that bloom ; 
•Oh ! her life was glad and happy 

With their beauty and perfume. 
]^ot a shadow crossed her pathway, 

^ot a sorrow lingered there. 
To her heart so pure and guileless 

Came no trace of pain or care. 



162 

Listen now, and I will tell you 

All the secret of her joy : 
She was loved, and in her spirit 

Was the answer, Bertie boy. 
I would tell you ot this lover, 

I would ask a pen of flame. 
That in glad, immortal letters 

I could write his hallowed name. 



He was noblest of the noble. 

He was truest of the true ; 
With ambitions lire undaunted 

Still he kept the cross in view. 
Time swept on, and brought its changes 

To each pure unsullied life. 
And she bore a name more sacred 

'Twas the precious name of — wife. 

Hearts more true were ne're united. 

Love more deep earth cannot know. 
And the years were touched with sunshine, 

All devoid of care and woe. 
Listen, Bertie, let me tell you 

How o'erflowed their cup of joy, 
When the angels came one morning 

With a little baby boy. 



163 

And they laid the winsome treasure 

Close lip to the mother's breast, 
Whispering, " If her load be heavy, 

Thou shalt be her joy and rest." 
How they loved him, Bertie darling, 

How they loved that little child, 
^Saying, " we will ever shield him, 

If life's sea is rough and wild." 

And their hearts were glad and happy, 

IS'e'er were gladder ones, I know; 
But there came a shadow, Bertie, 

Creeping to them, still and slow. 
IN'ow ni}^ heart is aching sadly 

And I fain would close my eyes, 
^Shutting out the painful picture. 

Which before them quickly rise. 

0, I see that noble husband 

Sinking slowly day by day : 
Death with hollow voice is calling. 

Soon his life will fade away. 
Come up nearer to me, Bertie, 

Let me take your little hand, 
While I tell you of a woman 

Pure, unselfish, noble, grand. 



While I tell of hope that brightened, 

Brightened all too soon to fade, 
Tell of watching, waiting, praying. 

Looking but to God for aid, 
0, the hours of weary watching, 

0, the courage and the might. 
While that sweet heart-broken woman 

Journeyed through Egyptian night. 

Ke'er on bloody field of carnage 

Was such bravery displayed, 
As each hour of grief demanded, 

Grief that must not be betrayed. 
Came the shadow near, and nearer, 

Darker grew the thickening gloom. 
When the roses bloomed in summer. 

Swept their fragrance round his tomb. 

0, how dark the night of sorrow ; 

0, how stern the hand of fate ; 
Lonely child, heart-broken mother, 

In a home so desolate. 
But a hope springs up within her, 

With a promise of new joy 
For the father's face and figure 

Dwells within her darling boy. 



1()5 

And his step grows firm and manly, 

Graver seems the little face ; 
As his young heart learns the lesson, 

He must take his father's phice. 
And I sometimes think, dear Bertie, 

When his hand in her's is prest, 
That he heard that angel whisper, 

"Thou shalt he her joy and rest." 



To IVIY Husband. 



ON OUR 12th WEDDIN(J ANNIVERSARY. 



What sound is this, upon the glad air stealing? 

So soft, so sweet the music that it tells : 
O, voice ot love, so fraught with tender feeling, 

It is the echo of our wedding bells. 

Twelve years ago, they rang their chime so holy 
Two hearts made one, and husband dear to-night, 

We hear their echo, softly, sweetly, slowly. 
And feel the joy within our souls more bright. 



16(3 



Twelve years dear one, and He who fills the measure, 
Has thought it best to mix the joy with pain ; 

But if we wait in patience his good pleasure 
The promise is "to make the loss, our gain." 

Twelve years our hearts and hands have been united 
Our thoughts, our aims, our purposes been one. 

And ne're on earth were vows more holy, plighted 
1^0 cloud has ever dimmed love's radient sun. 



The path was rough sometimes, with hands so tender 
We've stooped to clear it, for each others feet 

Love's fairy wand has often served to render 
The thorny way, a path of flowers sweet. 

0, merry bells ring out, ring out in gladness 
Fill every heart with love and peace to-night, 

Drive from us every thought ot gloom and sadness. 
Long may thine echo make the whole world bright. 



167 



To IVlY JVLOTTHKR. 



Dear Mother 'tis a little gift— 

This simple verse of mine, 
But there's a memory in each word, 

And love in every line 
Sweet Mother, on your birthday morn, 

N^o costly gifts I bring, 
But love and tenderness untold 

Go with these words I sing. 

Fond Mother, every year for you 

With brightness I would fill. 
That all life's clouds might pass away, 

And leave the sunshine still. 
I'd call the brooklet from its course 

To babble at your feet. 
And all earth's fairest, brightest flowers 

To shed their perfume sweet. 



()8 



Loved Mother, if the path was hard, 

I'd pray that angel hands 
Might smooth the way. and gently guide, 

And cool the burning sands. 
Kind mother 'tis a daughter's wnsh, 

A daughter's prayer for you. 
Whose constant sweet self-sacrilice. 

Shines all your liteway through. 

Oh ! patient Mother — Mother true, 

If treasures I could bring, 
They could not carry half the love. 

These simple lines will sing. 
They could not tell of patient faith. 

Through all my life's glad years. 
They could not breath a Mother's prayer, 

Nor count a Mother's tears. 

God bless you Mother, take the gift, 

'Tis ail I have to give. 
But with it go my love and prayers 

So Ions: as I shall live. 
Earth's fairest, brightest, purest, best, 

May Heaven on you bestow ; 
Until you reach a better home. 

Than aught we find below. 



IGl) 



To IvUCiK 



ON HER FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. 



Sister, Sweet Sister, a year has fled 

Over your innocent, trusting head, 

iSince you went to the altar, a happy child, 

And the lovino^ ans^els looked down and smiled ; 

But the word that gave you a woman's grace 

Left you your innocent heart and face. 

Sister, loved Sister, although the way 
May not be brightened with joy each day, 
Still, when you look at the vanished year 
You may count each smile, and forget each tear ; 
For the tears were tew, and the smiles as gay 
As danced in your eyes on your bridal day. 

Sister of mine, as the years go on. 

Each its mantle of care must don. 

But it's little you'll reck while hearts are true, 

For love's sky you know is always blue. 

If unseen danger before you start 

You'll be pressed the nearer a loving heart. 



170 

Sister, dear sister, it" blessings sweet 

Could roll from my heart to your happy feet, 

Then all earth's treasures fair and bright, 

I would offer you as a gift to-night ; 

But only my tenderest love I pay. 

On this the return of your wedding day. 



To Eva 



Into some lives the rain-drops fall 

Silently, sadly, day l)y day, 
While others are glad vs^ith the tranquil sun, 
'Till the last lew grains from the glass have run,. 

And the soul has slipped away. 

Your life, dear child, has its sun and shade. 

Its little tempests, its vexing care; 
But the rain- drops wash all the dust and heat. 
Away from the path that awaits your feet, 
And the sky again is fair. 

And yet each year, as it slips away, 

Toucnes your brow with its fairy wand. 
And a purer image stamps your face 
And lends to your spirit its own sweet grace, 
Like a joy of the far beyond. 



171 



And we who love you witli constant love, 

Still pray for the sun to he glad and fair, 
That your way he hathed in a glow of light, 
That into your presence may come no night — 
^o darkness nor despair. 

Each year, as it slips to its silent place. 
We pray may leave hut a joy hehind, 
That only hright fancies and flowers sweet 
May strew the way for your happy feet. 
That each cloud may be silver-lined. 

And so to the end of a well spent life, 

'Till the silver has come to your sunny hair. 
We pray that no shadow may dim the past, 
And each year he happier than the last — 
That all may he glad and fair. 



To Allik and Hortik. 



Joyous merry schoolgirls, happy as the day, 

Laughing, working, dancing the fleeting hours away, 

In the quiet country, in the busy town. 

Schoolgirls' hearts are lighter than the thistle down. 



17:^ 



Eyes brimful of mischief, hearts brimful of fun, 
Planning all in concert, something to be clone. 

Is it some hard problem, schoolgirls sweet and wise,. 
That you would unravel ? let me see your eyes. 

Oh I love the ripple of your laughter sweet. 

Scarce you touch the daisies underneath your feet, 

Merry, laughing schoolgirls, glad and gay together. 
Thanking God alike for clouds and sunny weather. 

Oh ! be true and tender, with gracious heart and hand,. 

Soon you'll be, remember, the woman of our land; 
Soon your lips will echo music sweet and true. 

The great things of to-morrow are waiting now for you. 

Oh 1 I love the ripple of your laughter sweet. 

Scarce you touch the daisies underneath your feet. 

In the quiet country, in the busy town. 

Schoolgirls hearts are lighter than the thistle down. 



173 



TO MAQQIE AND KATE^ 



Ah ! vainly do I try clear friends, 

A recompense to give, 
But only loving thoughts and prayers 

Can in my memory live. 
Still, could I weave this simple song, 

With heartflowers pure and bright, 
Their fragrance floating through it all, 

Should thrill your souls to-night. 

And if each loving grateful thought. 

Could, like the flowers bloom, 
Your path with roses Avould be strewn, 

Down to the rayless tomb ; 
And hearts- ease and forget-me- nots, 

And lilies pure and fair. 
To hide each trace of lifes unrest. 

Be scattered everywhere. 



174 

I sometimes think that unseen forms, 

Above us kindly bend, 
And gently bless and sanctify 

The hallowed name of friend! 
Not in the friendship of the world, 

That cold and hollow form, 
But in the love that calls our hearts 

To its embrace so warm. 



And if this fancy bright be true. 

That angels o'er us bend, 
O may they to our friendship now 

Their benediction send. 
Then like the fair and fragrant flowers, 

Your gentle hands have given, 
'Twill spring into new life and joy. 

And guide us nearer heaven. 



175 



To Baby Brkwster 



Sweet little babe, with thine eyes soft and tender 

Dear little herald of blessing and joy, 
Angels of heaven rejoice o'er thy beauty : 

Baby — our baby — our own precious boy. 
God was so good when He sent this wee blossom, 

Fresh from the garden of flowers above, 
Into our hearts by His kind hands transplanted, 

Ever to cherish, and care for, and love. 

Gentle the hands that will lead thee, dear baby, 

Tender the lips that will answer thy call. 
Strong the fond arms that will shelter and fold thee, 

Lest in the weakness our darlhig should fall. 
If in our power lies the secret of making 

Life every moment a season of joy. 
Thine shall be glad as the song of the wild birds, 

Thine shall be bright as the morn, darling boy. 



176 



Wee precious babe, how our love wraps thy being ! 

Folding thee closer and closer each hour: 
Came this dear gift from the Father all-seeing, 

He, whose kind love sends the sunshine and shower. 
See the white eyelids close heavy with slumber, 

Blessed and sweet be thine innocent sleep ; 
Papa and mama will watch by thee, baby, 

Glad is the vigil our happy hearts keep. 

Sweet is the lesson this little one teaches, 

Lying so peaceful, and fair, and serene ; 
Strange, that the sermon he silently preaches. 

Points both our hearts to the dear T^azarene. 
Bless thee, our darling, our beautiful baby. 

Blessings unthought of — unnumbered we see ; ', 
Heaven, hope and happiness, pure and unsullied, 

Entered our dwelling sweet baby with thee. 



177 



To EtthkIv. 



Long years ago I heard a story sweet, 

A legend of the angels, so it seemed. 

And where I caught it, is a mystery, 

May hap I read it and may hap I dreamed ; 

The story ran like this, that in that land, 

Where neither sickness comes, nor grief, nor tears, 

There is a lovely place for little ones, 

Who erst must try life's sorrows, and its fears. 

And ever o'er them, with such tender love 
As only Heaven in all its peace can give 
A beauteous angel bends, with stories sweet, 
Of Christ, w^ho died that every soul might live, 
And then upon her bosom, one by one 
She bears these spotless little ones to earth. 
And lays them in the loving mother's arms 
To be a blessing to the home and hearth. 



178 



Dear little Ethel with your azure eyes, 
Your flaxen curls upon your shoulders tossed, 
It is not hard to think the legend true 
And that the line, your little feet have crossed. 
That once you lay upon the angels breast, 
And heard the music oi the unseen thron.ic, 
E'o wonder that your little heart is tuned. 
To sweetest harmony of joyous song. 

'No wonder that within your happy home 
The sun shines bright and never sinks to rest, 
"In Heaven there is no night," so One has said 
Who called the weary to His sinless breast. 
Dear little Ethel with your radient face. 
May every blessing fall upon your head. 
May roses with their fragrance, lillies fair 
Bloom all about the way your feet must tread. 

I cannot ask a brighter lot for you, 
For angels hold you in their special care; 
And you are lifted from the sin of earth, 
Upon the wings of a fond mother's prayer. 
And "God is good," who seuds such lovely ones 
To cheer the sorrow of this desert place, 
For "Here we see but darkly," Ethel dear. 
But there, oh blessed promise, face to face. 



179 



To IVlY HUSBAND 



Oome list to me darling, a moment, 
Thy heart is my well guarded throne, 

And resting in faith on thy promise, 
I reign there, and rule there, alone. 

So long as the stars shine above us. 
Thou art wholy and truly my own. 

Of my love I have built up an altar, 
And bring thee an offering each day. 

From faith that's enduring forever, 
The incense arises alway. 

And hope, joy and trust are my jewels, 
That ne'er can corrupt or decay. 

And least should come sorrow or danger, 
I hiive raised up a fortress of prayer. 

To keep ever}^ cloud from thy pathway, 
From thy feet every pit-fall and snare. 

To brush from the brow of my darling, 
Every vestige of sorrow and care. 



180 

Could I lift up the vail ol the future, 

And pierce through the iunermost gloom,. 

I'd look for the flowers that are fairest, 
That soonest and brightest would bloom, 

And pray that when life Avas all over, 
Together we enter the tomb. 

Ah ! little, so little my darling. 

Yon know my idolatrous heart, 
ISTor how desolate, darksome and lonely 
T'would be, were we severed apart ; 

One thought of such sorrow, my own one ! 
0, fancy how cruel thou art ! 

So long as the stars shine above us, 
So long as the night follows day, 

I rest in the joy of thy promise, 
I bask in thy love, and its ray ; 

My faith is enduring for ever. 
Its incense arises alway. 



181 



IN MENIORY OK LITXLE: HARVEY. 



Bring lilies of the valley, 

Bring roses glad and fair, 
Twine on his waxen bosom. 

And 'mong his golden hair. 
Ko more my baby darling 

Will nestle to my heart, 
But ever of my being 

His love will form a part. 

He came like some bright angel. 

With garments like the snow. 
And twined about our heart-string 

How could we let him go ! 
And looking down the vista 

Of all the years and years. 
Before we greet our darling 

The path grows dim with tears. 



182 

My little blae-eyed baby, 

My precious angel boy, 
Thy life breathed of that country 

Where all is peace and joy. 
Thy little feet, too tender, 

Earth's desert paths to tread, 
But oh, our hearts are breaking ! 

Our little boy is dead. 

How strange the house, and lonely 

How cold, and dark, and still ; 
"He chasteneth those He loveth," 

We own the Master's will. 
And when life's care is over, 

And all the pain is past. 
We'll clasp our precious baby. 

Close to our hearts at last. 



For he will come to meet us, 

With happy hastening feet, 
His love by angels fostered. 

In heaven will be complete. 
Our hearts are upward reaching, 

Towards that country fair. 
And heaven to us is dearer. 

Because our babe is there, 



183 



In memory. 

To JVIR. AND IVIRS. G. W. CUMMINGS, 



Nature's tears Avith yours are falling 

O'er this fragile little flower, 
O'er this little pain-racked body, 

Freed at last trom suffering's power 
Darker grow the shadows round you. 

Deeper sinks the cruel pain, 
While yon bear your darling baby 

Through the swiftly falling rain. 

Look up, mother, gentle mother, 

Lift your aching, tear- wet eyes. 
See the Heavenly gates wide open, 

Hear the songs of Paradise. 
Heavy-hearted grief-bowed father. 

Turn you from this open grave. 
On your Savior's gentle bosom 

Lies the babe you could not save. 



184 

Little hands whose tiny fingers 

Twined about your very life, 
Folded sottly on the bosom 

That shall know no more of strife. 
Little eyes that looked the love-light 

They as yet could never tell, 
Shall grow brighter in that country 

Where your babe has gone to dwell. 

Little lips, whose tender kisses 

On your faces linger yet, 
Soon shall learn your names to murmur, 

For your babe will not forget. 
All the tender love you lavished 

Into brightest flowers will bloom, 
Even earth will be the better 

For their beauty and perfume. 



185 



In VI EMORY OK 
MARVIN IRA BRAINARD. 



^'The silver chain is loosed, the bowl is broken, 

The noble spirit from the body freed, 
Rises on wings of faith to peace unspoken ; 

Thine is the gain kind Heaven — and ours the need. 

^'Oh! holy angels o'er our spirits bending 
For just a little, ease this anguish wild. 

Show us the path by which thou art ascending. 
The pathwa/ ot the pure and undefiled. 

^'Show us the gate through which our darling entered, 
That for a moment we may follow him. 

There 'mong the throng of happy angels centered, 
Our Marvin stands, and all the rest is dim. 

"Friends loved and lost are all about him clinging. 
And perfect peace is shining in his face. 

And all the happy hosts of heaven are singing, 
While joy and gladness till ihe Heavenly place. 



186 



"Bright bloom the flowers, the birds are sweetly trilling 
And silver bright the crystal waters flow, 

And every heart with rapturous joy is thrilling, 
'No room is here for tears or gloom or woe. 

"Farewell, loved one, we leave you in the glory 
Of Him who for us meekly bore the cross; 

Thou'st found the truth of that dear oft told story, 
'Tis ours alone, to bear the pain and loss. 

"That loving heart, that beat with tender feeling, 
And o'er the pain of others deeply bled. 

Beats with the joy of Heaven, and softly stealing 
To our crushed spirits, says, "he is not dead." 

"Not dead ! but gone, a little while before us — 
Xot lost! but waiting in the blessed light. 

His love will like an angel hover o'er us 

And make all Earth and Heaven more fair and bright. 



18^ 



To IVIRS DR. LEET. 



Poor, broken, bruised and wounded heart, 
Look up ! the clouds are rifting, 

The somber gloom, the curtain dark, 
A tender hand is lifting. 

And far away above the night, 
That round thee now is sweeping. 

The lamp of love is burning bright. 
Look up, and cease thy weeping. 

Look up ! That light will ne're grow dim, 
Its gleam to earth returning. 

His hand, the hand of him you loved 
Will keep it trimmed and burning. 

It matters not how dark the gloom. 
How cold the night, and dreary, 

It matters not how late the hour. 
His watch will never weary. 



188 

Look up, beyond the darksome cloud, 

Toward his glorious dwelling. 
Bright with the Savior's loving smile. 

Fairer than mortal telling. 
Reach up thy hands towards his hands, 

And clasp them close together, 
Bridge o'er the rolling stream of death, 

And be his own for ever. 



Look up, oh wounded, aching heart, 
Look past the bitter sorrow, 
Beyond the anguish of to-day, 

Into the glad to morrow. 

It is not long he bids us wait. 

Earth's warfare soon is over. 

Beyond its pain, so soon to meet 

The husband and the lover. 



His noble, earnest, faithful lite 

Will leave its sacred story. 
Imprinted on full many lives. 

When heads now fair, are hoary, 

For little children spoke his name. 
With tenderness and gladness, 

And many hearts are bowed with thine,. 
And speak his name with sadness. 



189 

Look up, the troubled stream of life 
Still bears thee near and nearer, 

His loving arms are open wide. 

The view grows clear and clearer. 
And far away above the night, 

That 'round thee now is sweeping. 
The lamp of love is burning bright, 

Look up, and cease thy weeping. 



To NlR. AND IVTRS E. RECKORD, 



ON THEIR FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. 



For lifty years, oh, parents dear. 
You've walked the path of life together : 
Some days the sun has brightly shone. 
Some days were dark with cloudy weather. 
Sometimes the birds sang o'er your heads. 
And all was bright with summer gladness; 
Sometimes the road was hard and rough, 
Each wind a dirge of autumn sadness. 



]90 

For fifty years — a goodly time — 
Your hearts have throbbed for one another, 
Your children looking on your lives 
Say, Heavtr^n bless you, father, mother, 
How true your aim — it reaches out 
Far into time, beyond our seeing. 
The crown of fifty well sptnt years 
From every dross and soul cloud treeing. 

A mother's prayers like incense rise 
Until they reach the gate of Heaven. 
A father's counsel, good and wise, 
With fond and loving patience given. 
Sweet memories these for us to bear 
These blossoms bright beside you growing. 
Their perfume lingers in yoar hearts 
The blessing of your own good sowing. 

For fifty years — the Lord is good 

Who holds this chain of golden brightness. 

Each year a link that nearer draws 

Your souls to Heaven's eternal whiteness, 

That purity of which we dream, 

But see not with our sin dimn;ed vision 

Until lor us the gates shall ope 

Into the light of love Elysian, 



191 

Dear parents, may the rest of life 
Hold only joy, and peace, and pleasure, 
The Master with his generous hand 
Fill up for you a goodly measure. 
For fifty years, oh. loving hearts, 
You've walked the path of life together ; 
God grant the years that lie in wait. 
Hold for you only sunny weather. 



In IVIKIVIORY OK LITTTLK ALVIN 



Darling Alvin, precious Alvin, 

Taken from us in an hour, 

Swept from earth, and all his loved ones, 

By the dread destroyer's power. 

O ! my precious little darling. 

He was mine but yesterday — 

[NTow his little hands are folded 

O'er a breast of pulseless clay. 



192 

Oh ! the loving little fingers, 
Oh! the sightless little eyes ! 
Will they ever watch for mamma ! 
In that land beyond the skies. 
Oh, my baby ! oh, my treasure ! 
I can never give yon up, 
Take me too, my Heavely Father, 
I have drained life's bitterest cup. 

Take me to my little idol 

Let me hear his voice once more, 

Let me kiss the lips so loving. 

Open wide the golden door ! 

I must go to him, and kiss him, 

He will miss me so, I know, 

Hush this bleeding heart's quick beating ! 

Heavenly Father let me go. 

Hush a moment ! mourning mother, 
Let me take your gentle hand. 
Let me open wide the curtain 
Which obscures the Heavenly land ! 
See those forms of wonderous beauty, 
Kneeling round a little child, 
Fair and spotless — oh how perfect, 
It has never been defiled. 



193 

Hear tlie songs that they are chanting, 
See them crown his little brow, 
Mourning softly "Alvin darling 
Thou shall know no sorrow now." 
Slow^ly now w^e drop the curtain. 
O'er our spirits steals a spell, 
Something seems to whisper gently 
'' Weep no more, for all is well." 



ON THE DE^AXH OK 

iMiss Hattie: CumliVlinqs. 



When the JSTew Year dawns on the snow clad earth, 

And the morning is robed in white, 
I shall feel no longer the constant pain 

That tortures me so to-night. 
For father, the ^ew Year will open for me 

In a land where no storm clouds fall, 
I go to my Savior, his wonderful love. 

Is ready and waiting for all. 



194 



But mother, dear mother so watchful a:id true, 

You'll miss me more than the rest, 
But your loving eyes are raised with mine 

To our Father, "He knoweth best." 
0, I would not come bac'c from the river's brink,. 

Though its waters are dark and cold, 
And the waves in their careless wanton play 

Oft recklessly round me fold. 

For look, oh look ! on the other side, 

I can see the gates ajar : 
And the trailing robes, and the crowns of light 

Of the angels bright, afar. 
And soon, so soon, in a spotless robe 

I'll join them an angel too. 
But weep not mother, I'll watch and wait 

In that beautiful Home, for you. 

And father dear, when the house seems still, 

And you think of your absent child, 
I know that your heart will thrill with joy 

To know I am undeliled, 
I have only gone to that better Home 

Where our happy souls will meet. 
Where a father's and daughter's love will bloom 

Like flowers at the Savior's feet, 



195 



•O, Mary, my sister, soon, soon we must part, 

The river of death flows between. 
Heaven help you in finding the beautiful way, 

That frees you forever from sin ; 
And the sweet little child, that you fold to your heart, 

teach her of heaven and truth, 

teach her of Jesus, His mercy. His love. 
Let her walk in that love in her youth. 

My sister, our pathway diverges, God grant 
That your eyes may be lifted above, 

My own will be watching, dear Mary each day, 
In tenderness, pity and love. 

Dear Grandma, the gate will be standing ajar. 
For soon you will follow me through, 

1 know that the angels rejoicing will send, 
A beautiful Avelcome for you. 

And you, my beloved, farewell, oh ! farewell. 

In an evening of sorrow, we part. 
In a morning of Glory, our meeting shall be, 

I'll be folded again to your heart ; 
And all is so bright, by his wonderful love, 

The shadow has yielded to sun ; 
The angels are calling, how gladly, I say, 

0, Father ! ''Thy blest will be done." 



196 



Rejoice with me, loved ones, I go to His arms 

Who waits for the penitent child ; 
0, take me dear Jesus, Thy love makes me pure, 

And leaves me thine own, undetiled. 
Farewell, but remember your Hattie's ioiid hands 

Oft' the loving caresses will fall, 
I go but a little betore you, dear friends, 

I'll be waiting and watching for all. 



TO IVIY DEAR PARENTS 



ON THE TWENTY- FIFTH ANNIVERSAEY OF THEIR WEDDING. 



Five and twenty years dear parents 
Have you journeyed hand in hand, 
Growing nearer to each other 
As you neared the "better land." 
Five and twenty years dear parents 
With their share of sunshine hright, 
Clouded sometimes, but with darkness 
That foretells a purer light. 



197 

Five and twenty years of loving 
As the angels love in Heaven, 
Pure, unselfish, selfdenying 
To your true hearts have been given. 
Looking backward through the vista 
Of these live and twenty years, 
Gladdened by your true affection 
See you more of smiles than tears. 

Two dear children to you given 
In these five and twenty years, 
Both have left you — fully freighted 
With the love that still endears. 
Both have left you — but the sunshine 
Of that home will e'er remain, 
Filling both our hearts with gladness, 
Driving out life's care and pain. 

For that home your hands have finished, 
Fitted up with tender care 
Decked with gems of love and patience, 
Filled with sunshine every where, 
Shall be something to your children, 
That shall never pass from sight, 
'Till our eyes have closed forever. 
On all scenes of death and night. 



198 

It shall be a light to guide us, 
Growing brighter ever more, 
Sent to save our barks from dashing, 
'Gainst some dark and rocky shore. 
Blessed parents, may the future 
Glide a bright and peaceful stream, 
Living nearer to each other. 
Blending like a happy dream. 



Tender husband, breathing softly, 

Words as gentle, fond, and low, 

As the ones your proud lips whispered, 

Five and twenty years ago. 

When you promised to protect her, 

And to cherish all your life, 

Blessed was that promise given — 

Kept so sacred to your w^ife. 

Patient wife, and tender mother, 

I^oble father, husband true. 

Far beyond this life, another, 

Purer, better waits for you. 

And the seeds your hands have scattered, 

All along life's rugged way, 

Shall spring up in perfect beauty, 

" Brighter than the brightest day. 



199 

Five and twenty years, all shining, 
Wich good deeds and acts of love. 
Surely all will be recorded, 
In the book of life above. 
Five and twenty years dear parents, 
Have you journeyed, hand in hand, 
Growing nearer to each other, 
As you neared the " better lands." 



To IVTy dear Husband. 



ON OUR FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. 



Five years ago when the earth was glad. 

With the joyous cadence of Christmas chimes, 
And even the angels seemed to bless 

That gladdest to us, ot all glad times. 
We stood at the altar, husband dear, 

And vowed to be loving, leal, and true. 
But a world untried before us lay, 

You were all to me, I was all to you. 



200 



Five years have flitted on golden wings, 

'No sorrow to-nigbt at our lireside dwells, 
But a world of happiness, pure and sweet, 

Was ushered in by those Christmas bells; 
And a fancy bright has come to me, 

That each year is a link, In the chain ot gold. 
That unites our lives and binds our hearts. 

And makes us dearer, a hundred fold. 



Each year had its trials to meet and bear. 

Each year its portion of cloud and rain. 
But we always welcomed the sunshine more. 

When we felt the warmth of its rays again ; 
And God has blest us with wealth untold. 

With mines of treasures both rich and rare — 
Our jewels sparkle in baby's eyes. 

And the sunshine plays in our boy's bright hair, 

Then we have the love of three little hearts, 

That know not the meaning of sin or crime ; 
Why darling, how very rich we have grown ! 

Since me made our vows in the Christmas time. 
Five years ago, and you told me then 

'' You would make my life all fair and bright." 
There's no discord dear, in the music sweet. 

That the bells are breathing to us to-night. 



201 



AA^ork: ok the Wine Cup. 



Fold me closer, mother darling, 

To your true and loving breast, 
I am very, very tired, 

But I know I soon shall rest ; 
Yes, I know that I am dying, 

Gentle mother take my hand. 
Lead me through deatli's stormy water. 

Entrance to the summer land. 



I was wild and reckless, mother. 

Yet my love tor you was deep, 
But I loved the wine-cup better, 

I have sowed and I must reap. 
Hold me to your heart, dear mother, 

As you did in days gone by, 
Ere my soul Avith crime was blackened, 

But, dear mother, do not cry. 



202 

Had I listened to you pleading, 

Had I left the siren wine, 
Saint-like -truth and spotless honor, 

O'er my life would brightly shine, 
But I turned from God, dear mother,. 

Wandered far from joy and truth. 
And I headed not your pleading. 

Gentle teacher of my youth. 

All my hope and joy and honor. 

In the treacherous wine-cup lie. 
For I drank its poisonous contents. 

And for this your boy must die ; 
Hold me closer mother, closer. 

Oh, perhaps t'will ease the pain, 
And when death is very near me. 

Sing some sweet and quiet strain. 

Gently, oh how gently mother. 

When my spirit sinks to rest, 
It is sweet to know ,when dying, 

I am folded on your breast. 
And to feel I am forgiven 

By my mother, darling one. 
Oh, I know that I am sinful. 

Still you love your erring son. 



203 

Mother, when my form is lying 

Here in death so still and cold, 
Tell my friends to come and see me, 

Ere I'm laid beneath the mould : 
Tell them when the/ look upon me, 

Silent, pale and cold in death, 
That I bade them kneel, dear mother. 

Bade them, with my dying breath. 

Then with sad young hearts uplifted, 

To the one who reigns above, 
Make a deep and solomn promise, 

God will listen in his love. 
That they'll never touch the wine-cup, 

They can break its magic spell. 
To its dark and sinful pleasures 

Bid a long and glad farewell. 

Tell them they have helped to conquer, 

God will to them angels send, 
And they know the lowly Jesus, 

Blest Redeemer, is their friend. 
Tell them this, and very gently, 

Lay your hand upon each head. 
Bless them all, but darling mother 

Don't forget your silent dead. 



204 

Let your white hand gently linger 

'Mong the curls of dark brown hair, 
Often ere these days of darkness, 

It has rested proudly there : 
'Tis so hard to die, dear mother, 

While my name bears this disgrace, 
And to see ths sorrow gather 

On your pure and gentle face. 

Tell the world, oh ! patient mother. 

That from wine this darkness came; 
How the fair deceitful siren 

Brought dishonor to my name ; 
I am growing strangely tired. 

But dear mother do not weep. 
Death is very, very near me, 

I have sowed and I must reap. 

Hark, I hear the angels singing. 
But their words I cannot tell. 

Do not grieve for me, dear mother, 
Kiss your boy, farewell ! farewell. 



205 



TO GRANDMA 



ON HKR TOthi BIRTHDAY. 



Seventy years through cloud and sunshine, 

Have you journeyed, patient one — 
Ever when the gloom was thickest, 

You have said "His will be done." 
Though He gives you pain and sorrow, 

Yet he gives you sunshine bright. 
And a heart that in affliction 

Still finds beauty, love and light. 

Seventy years, and star crowned angels. 

Stoop to bless your noble life ; 
Bringing promises, our dear one, 

Of a home with pleasure rife. 
All along the path, dear Grrandma, 

Which your patient feet have trod. 
Are the flowers your hands have planted 

Springing up to meet their God. 



206 

'Tis the fruit for which He seeketh ; 

By it you will there be known 
When He nunibereth up His Jewels 

His beloved and His own. 
Blessed friend, and comfort to ns ! 

All these years since babyhood, 
When you spoke that tender language, 

Which by love is understood 

Well and true we learned to love you, 

And our earliest sense ot bliss, 
As in later years, dear Grandma, 

Centered round your loving kiss. 
But if all the fond petitions, 

Reach the tender Shepherd's heart. 
He will grant that many summers 

Pass e're we are called to part. 



ON HER 71st BIRTHDAY 



Bless you ! bless you ! Grandma dear- 
Can it be, another year. 
O'er that gentle silvered head, 
Has so quickly, kindly sped. 
Leaving us your loving face, 
And your tender, sweet embrace ? 



207 

Precious Grandma — truest friend ; 
Heaven all her blessings send, 
All the earth with verdure bright, 
Grow more beauteous for your si^ht ; 
May our hearts their faith still prove 
By our offices of love. 

Dearest Grandma, in your face, 
Read we all your truth and grace ; 
See a heart so true and kind, 
And a spirit pure, refined ; 
And a life whose setting sun 
Will receive the glad "well done." 

Patient ever, while your faith 
Looks beyond the va'e of death ; 
Sees no sorrow, feels no fear. 
Know that angels hover near — 
Almost touch the flutterine: wing. 
Almost hear the songs they sing. 

Grateful are our hearts to-day, 
As the moments glide away, 
That the swiftly fleeting year. 
Darling Grandma leaves you here; 
May the next as kindly shed 
Sunshine 'round your silvered head. 



208 
On her 72ocl BIRXHOAY 



There is a legand 'mong the stories old, 
That loving lips have told me years agone, 
Its tender sweetness thrills me wiih a joy, 
That oftentimes I h^ve to feast upon. 
It whispered of a little silver rill, 

That glided through a drea'-y desert land, 
Its waters cool and limped, clear and sweet, 

Sang of the distant ocean, deep and grand. 

Never a murmur of the sterile soil, 

I^^ever a murmur of the burning heat. 

Only glad songs of all that was to be. 

And trillings of the mountains, pure and sweet. 

The grand old mountains, where this little rill, 

Had one day danced and rippled, glad and free, 
And oftentimes I thouglit how very fair. 

This cooling stream in such a land would be. 

But looking on your lite, oh, patient one ! 

With never murmer or complaint of pain, 

I see the legend of the little rill. 

And the great dreary desert o'er again. 

On either side its banks, grew tender flowers. 

But for its cooling waters must have died ; 
All 'round you, precious Grandma, are the lives, 

That hy your suffering have been purified. 



209 



And as the years slip by, each forms a link, 

In that bright chain, your patient life has wrought, 

Your gentle feet have followed in the steps 

Of Him, who only love and kindness taught. 

And all about you blossom. Grandma dear, 

The flowers your love lias watered and kept green ; 
No murmur of the sun's hot rays are heard, 

No cloud npou your face is ever seen. 

And now another year has slipped away, 
Still with your tender love our hearts are blest. 
Your children's children's children bless your name, 
And hold in tender reverence w^ith the rest, 
And Grandma darling, when the golden chain, 

Has reached the summit of the distant hill, 
The flowers that you have planted, all will live, 

Watered and fed by your sweet presence still. 



ON HER 74:th BlRXFiDAY. 



Another year on its noiseless wings. 

Has silently slipped away, 
Another link in tlie golden chain. 
With a halo of brightness tliat must remain 

When yon leave this home of clay. 



210 

O, Grandma, darling, another year 

We have telt your tender love — 
Like the gentle rain on the tender flowers, 
It has brightened and bettered this life of ours- 

Like a blessing from above. 

Into your life no joy has come, 

Without its companion, pain ; 
Around your heart we would twine to day 
The flowers that never can fade away 

And only a joy remain. 

Each day, each hour, you have nearer drawn,. 

To the banks of the silent sea. 
Each day, each hour, we have held you fast, 
Lest you slipped forever from our grasp 

To the great eternity. 

And dearest Grandma, each year but binds 
Still closer these hearts of ours — 

And we fain would keep you, until the light 
Of our own poor vessel is lost in night. 

And we enter the port of flowers. 

O, patient Grandma ! your life has been 

Like a beacon of peace and joy ; 
Your hours of anguish, of suftering deep. 
In a harvest from which your soul will reap. 

And nothing can destroy. 



211 



Sweet, patient heart, may thy life, to come 

Be filled with a constant peace ; 
May the seeds you have scattered each day on 

earth 
Spring up in all their wonderful worth 

When your soul has found release. 

We know, dear Grandma, the golden gate 

For your soul will he open wide. 
Could we loose for a moment these golden hands, 
€ould we loose from your own our tremhliug 
hands. 

You would drift out with the tide. 

But, no ! sweet Grandma, w^e hold you fast, 

And our hearts with gladness sing, 
With a tighter grasp and a firmer hold, 
'Till we tread together the "streets of gold," 
In a land of endless spring. 



ON HER 75tll BIRTHDAY. 



O crown of tliy sorrow than others more bright, 
O crown of thy suffering transcendant with light, 
O crown of thy patience thy sweetness and love. 
Awaiting thy soul in the blessed above. 



212 



O fair spotless spirit whom angels adore, 
How bright is the pathway that shineth before — 
Eech year with its suffering new blessings will brings 
And clearer and sweeter the angels will sing. 

Each year adds its gem to the beautiful crown, 

That shall sliine when the ages of death have gone 

down, 
crown of thy sorrow than others more bright, 
crown of thy suffering transcendant with light. 

Earth holds thee, and binds thee, its fetters are strong; 
Heaven owns thee, and claims thee, with jubilant song, 
We hold thee with love that is strong as our life, 
And bind thee to earth with its sorrow and strife. 



Each year adds its claim and we love thee still more. 
And think ot thy home on the radient shore — 
When the stars have been numbered, the sun has 

gone down, 
Still shines in its glory thy beatitul crown. 



213 

On her 76thi BIRTHDAY. 



Id the morning, at the noon-tide, 
In the quiet hush of even, 
Through the years of patient waiting 
Walking very near to Heaven — 

Through the vale of tribulation, 
Where its deepest shadows lie 
Toiling up the rugged hill side, 
Looking to the "By and By." 

Darling Grandma, oer this journey, 
That your tender feet have trod, 
Mauy times my tears have fallen 
And my prayers have gone to God — 

That the path may now be peaceful, 
Strewn with flowers of loving care, 
That no shade of pain or sickness, 
E'er may cloud a sky so fair. 

Oh! those tender hands so loving, 
Oh ! that heart, so true and warm. 
Where so often, in my childhood, 
I was sheltered from each harm ; 



214 

Even yet I feel the pressure 
Of those arms about me thrown, 
Through my life a love more precious 
I have never, never known. 

Blessed Grandma, I will ever 
Feel The sweetness of your life, 
Point me with its blest example, 
Far above these scenes of strife. 

Every year that flits so lightly — 
On its unseen, noiseless wings, 
Adds new luster, to the brightness 
That about your spirit clings. 

Every year, oh dearest Grandma, 
Shows to us an added grace, 
Leaves another trace of Heaven, 
On your tender loving face. 



ON HER 77thi BIRTHDAY. 



Sweet Grandma the world is all in tune 
As it ushers in tins smiling June, 

And leads her on her flowery way 

With a backward s^lance at her sister May. 



215 



But the brightest hour of this mouth of bloom 
Shines into our darling Grandma's room, 

When we waken the smiling day, new born, 

With our heartfelt thanks, on your birthday morn* 

We lift our hearts with a joy untold, 

As we count this bead in the string of gold. 

And lay it aw^ay with the vanished years, 
With gladsome smiles and with happy tears. 

Amid the pain of your life, dear one, 
Shines in the light of the golden Sun, 

^ew joys are added — new^ sorrows given ; 
Each one a step in the way to Heaven. 

Oh happy day I how each glad heart yearns 
To know of its many bright returns — 

And the little ones cluster about your bed, 
Their love like incense about you shed. 

Oh Sun in the west of your life, stand still I 
Let us bask in its love lit rays at will. 

While we waken the smiling day, new born 
With our heartfelt joy on your birthday morn. 



216 



ON HER 78tln BIR^^HDAY, 



Peace coraeth after pain, 

Oh patient spirit ! 
Joy after safiering, laughter after tears ; 
N^o tongue can tell the bliss thou shalt inherit 

Through all the years. 

Peace cometh after pain, 

And ever o'er us 
We feel the presence of the unseen throng ; 
Thy voice shall one day swell the joyous chorus 

And glad the song. 

Peace cometh after pain. 

Oh, great the wonder ! 
The turning of a key, an opening door, 
Oh land of light and joy ; God does not blunder ; 

He walks before. 

Gain cometh after loss. 

Oh, bed of roses ! 
O zephyrs flitting o'er Heavens perfumed hills, 
Where every view new happiness discloses, 

And glad hearts thrill. 



217 



Peace cometli after pain, 

A peace unspoken ; 
Rest after all the toil and care and strife, 
There to unite the ties that here were broken, 

Thrice blessed lite I 



Peace cometh after pain I 

The years are fleeting, 
Soon, soon for ns the messenger will come. 
Oh, God be praised for that triumphant meeting, 

All safe at home. 



ON HKR 79tl:L BIRTHDAY 



Your lamp of life the Master's hand is holding 
Long Years ago He measured out the oil; 

Close to His own, your tired heart He is folding 
Soon to reward you for the pain and toil. 

We wait beside your bed, oh patient spirit 
To learn the lesson from your suffering heart, 

Before the Master calls you to inherit 
The glory which for you is set apart. 



218 



Seventy and nine, the years have circled 'round you 
Since first the toilsome journey was begun, 

And always at your place has duty found you, 
'Though oftentimes the shadow hid the sun. 

And we, who know you, marvel at the story 

Of all these years of pain and suftering, 
Our wonder changed to rapture, at the glory, 
The recompense from our dear Lord, the King. 

The door-way of His Palace, to our vision 
Standing ajar, gives glimpses fair and bright 

Of the glad beauty of that "Land Elysian," 
The morning to your long, long weary night. 

But when the gates swing back, in that glad season, 
And Heaven echoes with its rapturous song. 

Oh ! patient Grandma you will know the reason. 
The dear Lord thought it best to wait so long. 



219 

On HKR 1st BIRTHDAY IN HKAVEN, 



Ring out ill glad mpture, 

Sweet chorus of praise, 

Ring out for the glory 
That fills all her days. 
Ring out for the rest 

That has come after pain ; 

While those who have loved her 
Join in the refrain. 

Ring out for the freedom 

From sorrow^ and care ; 

Ring out for the brightness, 
That reigns everywhere. 
O, lift up the curtain 

That hides from our view. 

The rest and the peace 
To her spirit so new. 

Let us feast on the joy 
In the sweet patient eyes. 
That have gazed on her Saviour 

In rapt'rous surprise. 

Let us look at those arms 

That have clasped to her breast, 
The darlings, that early 

Have flown from our nest. 



220 

Ring out in glad chorus, 
Our eyes cannot see, 
For weak is our vision, 

God meant it to be. 

But into our soul 

He has opened a door. 
For sweet floods of sound 

From the Heavenly shore. 

And on this, the day 

Which so dearly we prize. 
Though weak is our vision. 

Sin blinded our eyes. 

Our souls lifted up 

On the wings of their love, 
Joins the song 

Of the Heavenly singers above. 

Ring out, oh sweet chorus. 
The long night is past, 
The fair, purple morning 

Dawns brightly at last. 

"The stars sing together," 
For her, whom we love 
Is safe in the Courts 

Of the blessed, above. 



■ tr.-^. 




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